Rutgers University based in New Jassey, United States of America (USA) has expressed its readiness to partner with Nigeria’s most rated public University, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in the areas of Academic research and exchange of scientific innovations aimed at enhancing food security in the country
Vice-President Global Affairs of Rutgers University, Prof Eric Garfunkel leading his team, expressed the readiness to partner FUNAAB during a visit to the office of Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Kehinde.
The Professor of Chemical Physic was full of excitement that the partnership would be of mutual benefits to both institutions, saying it will enhance development and capacity of the two Universities.
The Vice-President of the US based University expressed confidence that the partnership would be successful because of the rich track records of academic excellence of both institutions.
Also speaking, the Associate Director of Finance Rutgers Global, Mrs. Bola Shakira Ibrahim, says Rutgers Global is equally focusing on youth employment, taking advantage of Entrepreneurial studies being run by FUNAAB.
She stressed that the Centre will help in training the Youths and set them up after the training, which will reduce the rate of unemployment in the country, citing the water processing business of FUNAAB as practical demonstration of what to expect from such collaboration between the two Universities.
Similarly, a Professor of Linguistics, Gender and Cultural Studies, Rutgers University, Ousseina Alidou in her comment, lauded the University for the internalization programme which according to him, will be a plus for the partnership, stressing that they have been looking for a way to collaborate with Africa that will be of Africa’s interest.
Responding, FUNAAB Vice-Chancellor who was equally excited about the synergy between the two Universities, said that the exchange of researches and scientific innovations would foster a more cordial relationship between both institutions.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that the University would be glad to collaborate with the Rutgers in the areas of research proposal in agriculture and climate change.
He stressed that FUNAAB would also appreciate a partnership that would enable it to bring Rutgers University on board whenever there is need for their attention.