Robert
Gordon University (RGU) has further strengthened its international
collaborations with the launch of a new energy doctoral programme that will
enable students to study in both Aberdeen and Nigeria.
The university has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian
capacity-building agency for the energy industry, PTDF, as well as an agreement
between the two organisations and the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies,
Kaduna (CPESK) to deliver up to 45 split-site energy PhDs for Nigerian students
over the next three years.
A
senior Nigerian delegation visited RGU this week to officially sign the MoU and
agreement that will see students on the three- year programme split their time
between the university’s campus in Aberdeen and CPESK in Nigeria. The agreement
builds on RGU’s existing partnership with PTDF to increase international
doctorial study opportunities for Nigerian students.
Professor
Steve Olivier, principal and vice-chancellor of RGU, said: “International
partnership growth is integral to our global influence as we look to develop
knowledge exchange and educational opportunities worldwide to support economic
development.
“This
agreement builds on a long-standing relationship between RGU and PTDF which has
provided funding opportunities to study at RGU for over 400 Nigerian
students. We are committed to working in partnership with scholarship
bodies and organisations overseas, and this new PhD programme recognises the
importance of collaborating to create international doctoral pathways with
Nigeria.
“We
are grateful to have been able to further build on our ongoing relationship
with PTDF, as well as have the opportunity to host a wide range of senior
individuals from both the energy and education sectors in Nigeria.”
The
delegation consisted of Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for
Petroleum Resources; Ahmed Galadima Aminu, Executive Secretary of PTDF; Chris
Maiyaki, Ag Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission; and Dr.
Munir Zubairu Sirajo, Head, CPESK, while hosting from RGU was Professor Steve
Olivier, Principal and Vice Chancellor; and Donella Beaton, Vice Principal
Economic Development.
In
his remarks, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken
Lokpobiri, reiterated the full support of the Nigerian government to this
partnership initiative, which is in consonance with the country’s transnational
education policy. He emphasised the commitment of the Nigerian government to
ensuring that the quality and standard of education PTDF scholars enjoy in UK
is also delivered at CPESK.
Mr. Ahmed Galadima Aminu, Executive Secretary PTDF, said: “The
signing of the MoU and the partnership agreement is another exciting milestone
in the long-term relationship PTDF and RGU have had. RGU has always provided
PTDF with the necessary support through its commercial arm, Univation.
"Over two decades ago, in 2001 when the PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS), was at
its infancy stage, Univation was the consultant for the OSS, a partnership
which tremendously impacted on the scheme to grow as one of the best
scholarships in the world.
“Indeed, we have taken many steps in the past to effectively
utilise the potentials of CPESK and I can vividly recall the visit to RGU in
November 2016, the outcome of which refocused and shaped our initial thoughts to
one where we committed to securing a university education licence from the
National Universities Commission to run postgraduate programmes.”
Dr.
Chris Maiyaki, Ag. Executive Secretary, NUC congratulated PTDF and CPESK on
this exciting milestone with RGU, which he said was in line with the
Commission’s Transnational higher education policy.
He
recalled the rigorous process the NUC, PTDF and CPESK had to go through before
developing a framework for this joint venture partnership. He emphasised the commission’s commitment and support towards ensuring successful implementation
of the partnership agreement.