In an epic collaboration of international dimension, the Federal Polytechnic Nekede has established partnership with some Ukrainian universities to build an international entrepreneurship centre and run exchange programmes, among others. This partnership was validated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the Rector of the institution, Engr Dr Michael Arimanwa and the experts from Ukraine, led by Prof Valaly Raznikov of the Lviv University of Business and Law, Ukariane.

In a ceremony preceding the signing of the MOU held at the council chambers of the Polytechnic, the Rector welcomed the delegates from the Ukrainian universities for the sustainable partnership they have committed to enter with his institution. He lauded them for coming all the way to the Polytechnic to sign an MOU that would signal the beginning of a mutually beneficial intervention programmes. In his words, the Rector declared thus: “This partnership is aimed at building a strong synergy and partnership with the universities in Ukraine which would enable our students to acquire skills that would make them employable anywhere in the world.”

In his remarks, Prof Valaly Raznikov of the Lviv University of Business and Law, stated that his university was one of the oldest and largest in Europe, having been established in 1804, adding that he had come with other academics and experts from Ukraine to explore ways they could build educational and economic relationship with Nigeria, through the Federal Polytechnic Nekede. He also revealed that while students from the Polytechnic would be allowed to run programmes in Ukrainian universities, their counterparts from selected Ukrainian institutions would come to the Federal Polytechnic Nekede to learn. Areas of partnership with the Polytechnic, according to the Professor, cut across medical science, music, entertainment, business and culture, among others.

One of the delegates, Mrs Inna Kolomyichuk of the V.N. Karazin Kharkic National University, expressed the readiness of her university to enter into mutually beneficial partnership the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, in the area of printing, skill acquisition and postgraduate education, among others. She also invited the management of the Polytechnic to visit her university in Ukraine to further cement ties with the Ukraine government.

Meanwhile, a member of the Ukrainian delegation, Dr Cliff Ogbede, who is the Ukrainian Representative for Foreign Trade and Investment Services in Africa, pointed out that the partnership with the Ukrainian universities would be geared towards uplifting the standard of education in the institution, since the experts from Ukraine sit on a consortium of famous academic institutions in their homeland. He also stated unequivocally that the cooperation would enable the partnering institutions from Ukraine to build facilities and infrastructure in the polytechnic for the smooth take-off of a unique entrepreneurship programme. Dr Ogbede equally disclosed that the partnering institutions would run what he termed a “2 plus 2” educational exchange programme, where selected students from the Federal Polytechnic Nekede would spend two years in Nigeria and then travel to Ukraine to spend another two years in order to earn a degree certificate in Ukraine. The curriculum of the said degree would be administered in part by the Polytechnic staff while Ukrainian lecturers would complete the curriculum schedule.

Similarly, Dr Ogbede revealed that the Ukrainian Universities would support the Federal Polytechnic Nekede in research, seminar and international workshop, in addition to assisting her lecturers publish in high impact Western journals. And in view of the global security challenges that have affected the country of Nigeria, Dr Ogbede posited that the partnering Ukrainian universities would build a Centre for Security Studies in Federal Polytechnic |Nekede, which would assist government in the area of research and documentation.
In a vote of thanks, Dr Austine Madu, who is the Director of Interventions and Linkages of the Polytechnic, commended the Rector of the institution, Engr Dr Michael Arimanwa, for his innovative leadership and tenacity of purpose which has given the Polytechnic global visibility. He further extolled the Rector for his passion in linking up the Polytechnic to institutions and organizations for targeted and productive synergy. Earlier, the Polytechnic dance troupe had entertained the august visitors with scintillating dance steps amid pomp and funfare.

Dr Ugochukwu Iwuji,
SA (Media) to the Rector