The Vice Chancellor of the University of Zambia, Professor Mundia Muya, received a delegation led by Professor Christopher Akinbile as part of efforts to deepen international academic collaboration. During the meeting, Akinbile conveyed the goodwill of the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Professor Adenike Temidayo Oladiji.
The Dean of the School of Infrastructure, Mineral, and Manufacturing Engineering at FUTA emphasized the readiness of the institution to sustain meaningful relationships. "We are committed to partnerships that will enhance research productivity, staff development, and global relevance of our institutions," he stated.
The two week working visit was facilitated under the auspices of The World Academy of Sciences, a body committed to promoting scientific excellence in developing countries. Professor Akinbile engaged with scholars and researchers in his capacity as a UNESCO TWAS Visiting Professor to the Department of Engineering.
High level discussions were held with Dr. Charles Kahanji, Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Zambia. The deliberations focused on strengthening departmental cooperation, joint research initiatives, and staff exchange programmes.
"Our discussions were centered on practical ways to align research priorities with global sustainability goals," Akinbile noted during one of the sessions.
The visit also featured interactive sessions with students. A postgraduate engineering student described the interaction as inspiring. "It was inspiring to interact with a professor from Nigeria who has extensive experience in infrastructure and environmental systems. His insights on research applications in Africa were particularly enlightening," the student remarked.
Academic staff at the University of Zambia lauded the engagement. A senior lecturer observed that the presence of a TWAS backed visiting professor elevated the scope of discussions.
"Engagements like this bring fresh perspectives into our system. It is not just about collaboration on paper; it is about real intellectual exchange that benefits both institutions," the lecturer added.
The initiative is expected to foster institutional linkages and support research development between the two universities.
