Association Of VCs Finalizes Agreement To Enhance Education
By Abimbola Kintum
The assembly of Nigerian Universities Vice – Chancellors disclosed on Friday the signing of a “consortium agreement” with several other African universities in Russia on December 13, 2023.
The body, in a released statement, emphasized that the accord would promote academic interchange and the sharing of knowledge, particularly in the fields of geology and mining.
Giving a breakdown of the number of institutions involved, the statement noted that over 130 organisations from 42 African countries, focusing on higher education, scientific institutions, geological communities, and mining companies signed the agreement.
“The consortium aims to address challenges in the African education system, emphasising a shift from an agrarian to an industrial economic model,” it added.
According to the statement, the Rector of St Petersburg Mining University, Vladimir Litvinenko, highlighted the importance of technical universities focusing on priority goals and the need for a different higher education model in Africa.
The statement read in part, “The consortium’s mission extends to developing model laws for subsoil use management, emphasising state regulation to ensure African countries benefit more from resource exploitation.”
