By Joy Adeyiga & Femi Dansu
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), recently hosted delegates from the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), United States of America and the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola, to discuss potential collaboration opportunities between the two Universities.
Welcoming the visitors on Thursday, May 30, 2024, in the Conference Room A of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde highlighted FUNAAB’s specialisation in Agricultural Sciences, stating that the University comprises ten colleges, including the College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM), College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT), and the College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD), which were directly related to agriculture.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Kola Adebayo, the Vice-Chancellor noted that FUNAAB’s expansive 10,000-hectare campus spans both savannah and forest zones, providing an ideal environment for multidisciplinary research.
Expressing enthusiasm for the collaboration, Prof. Kehinde stressed FUNAAB’s status as the leading agricultural University in Africa.
Responding, the Associate Director of African Partnerships at the University of Pennsylvania, Prof. Sylvester Osagie commended FUNAAB and recounted his productive discussions with the Vice-Chancellor at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
He emphasised the importance of education and agriculture in ensuring food sustainability and highlighted the need to instill agricultural knowledge from an early age.
Corroborating Prof. Osagie, the Executive Director of the Global Building Network, the University of Pennsylvania, Prof. Esther Obonyo, discussed her goal of leading a global network initiative in partnership with the United Nations (UN), focusing on sustainable development, climate change mitigation, and adaptation.
She stressed the importance of integrating these efforts into the formal sector to benefit farmers and the environment.
Prof. Obonyo, therefore, shed more light about the potential collaboration opportunities to support farmers and elevate agricultural practices.
Speaking also at the meeting, the Ag. Registrar, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Dawodu, expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating that it would further advance the University, even as the Dean, Student Affairs, Prof. Festus Adeosun also anticipated positive outcomes from the meeting.
The delegates toured the Central Laboratory at the Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CEADESE), led by its Director, Prof. Adeboye Fafiolu, and the Biotechnology Centre, headed by Prof. Olufunke Shittu.
Other notable attendees from UPenn included the Dean, College of Education, Prof. Kimberly Lawless, Prof. S’oerd Duiker, Nel White, as well as the Orunto of Owu Kingdom who represented the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Chief Abiodun Lasile.
