Press release from UNC Asheville:
The University of North Carolina at Asheville and Osun State University, Osogbo Campus signed a letter of intent today, April 18, to foster international cooperation in education and research, specifically for science, engineering and technology.
“It was our great pleasure to host our colleagues from Asheville’s sister city of Osogbo, Nigeria. We were able to highlight some of our leading science and interdisciplinary programs, including Mechatronics and Africana Studies, and discussed the possibility of several exciting opportunities to collaborate in areas of education and research. We look forward to seeing this relationship continue to evolve,” said UNC Asheville Interim Chancellor Joe Urgo.
“We have a sister city relationship with Asheville from Osogbo, and out of the program is this linkage between Osun State University in Osogbo, Nigeria and the University of North Carolina at Asheville,” said Gbadebo Ismaila Olatona, physicist and lecturer with Osun State University. “The specific opportunity is the exchange of faculty and students. We’ve had a good discussion in starting this relationship.”
As part of the academic cooperation, both universities will explore opportunities for educational exchanges, as well as technical assistance and joint research. The agreement comes as part of the Osogbo, Nigeria delegation’s visit to Asheville for the Art of Citizen Diplomacy. Osogbo became Asheville’s sister city in 2008.
“This goes a long way in making our relationship with Asheville become long lasting. It started as the sister city relationship but this is a major step now because the relationship has been institutionalized, which can live beyond those who have started it. We have bought two major institutions together, and we’ll establish programs that can continue. We’ll work toward it being a success, and we look forward to when we’ll receive the university delegation from UNC Asheville to the city of Osogbo,” said physician Oluseyi Olaboyede Atanda, a member of the Osogbo delegation.
The letter of intent with UNC Asheville is in effect for five years.
For more information, contact UNC Asheville’s Office of the Provost, University Programs at provost@unca.edu.
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