By Najem Francis, Sokoto
Sokoto state government has commenced a partnership with Kent University in the United States of America (USA) on academic and cultural exchanges.
The scope of the agreement will include the exchange of students for traditional exchange programmes and exchange of academic personnel for teaching and research.
The spokesman to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Malalm Imam Imam, said in a statement that the agreement was signed by the state Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Muhammad Jabbi Kilgori and Dr. Linda Robertson of Kent University’s Gerald Read Centre for International and Intercultural Education.
Speaking when she paid a courtesy call on Governor Tambuwal in Sokoto, Dr. Robertson said that the agreement also involved the organisation of joint seminars and conferences, hosting of faculty members from partner institutions, development of joint research and publications.
“It also involves development of specialized degree completion programmes, accelerated attention for girls to girls’ education and teacher improvement activities,” she stated.
She said that her visit to Sokoto had provided her the opportunity of assessing government’s commitment to turn around the fortune of the educational sector in the state.
“Your decision to declare a state of emergency in the education sector shows fully how committed you are to addressing the challenges facing the sector. I am happy that you have followed up on the declaration by implementing recommendations offered by professionals to help the sector improve.”
In his response, Tambuwal said that Sokoto has a reputation for keeping to agreements entered into with various organizations at home and abroad, and assured that the MoU would be implemented to the letter.
He commended Dr. Robertson for visiting Sokoto and interacting with stakeholders and youth organisations, adding that the state was open for further agreements with interested parties for the overall development of all sectors.
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