Signs MoU with Adekunle Ajasin University

The historically Black Alabama State University has expanded its global partnerships by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Adekunle Ajasin University in Ondo State, Nigeria. The agreement calls for student and faculty exchange opportunities between the two universities.

ASU President Gwendolyn E. Boyd and the vice chancellor of the Nigerian University, Professor Amos Ajibefun, signed the agreement on ASU’s campus. The meeting also included ASU’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Leon C. Wilson; retired ASU professor, Dr. David A. Iyegha; the dean of the College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, Dr. Kennedy Wekesa; and Adekunle Ajasin University professor, Dr. Timothy Adejumo.

“Alabama State University is very internationally focused,” said Boyd. “We have more than 40 countries represented in our student body and faculty. We are open to new international relationships because we know that the students that we are training now will operate in a global environment. They will travel all over the world. They will be engaged in international business and research. So the experiences they have while in college will be of great benefit to them in the future.”

Ajibefun said the university established in 1999 has been named one of the best in Nigeria and that the school’s global mission is similar to ASU’s.

“We have students in America and Europe, and they are doing well,” said Ajibefun. “We are very excited to develop this partnership with Alabama State University. I think that we can learn so much from each other, and our students can … develop good relationships and experience a new culture. We want to give our students a global experience so that they can compete globally.”

Last year, ASU welcomed a large contingent of new freshman from Nigerian to the campus, and a Nigerian presidential delegation visited the school, led by Kingsley Kuku, special adviser to former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. The delegation was tasked with checking the progress of 40 students from Nigeria who are enrolled at ASU.

“ASU is proud of its global links,” said University College Dean Evelyn Hodge. “However, being far away from home can be daunting. So great care is taken to support our overseas students.”