Morgan State University, a premier public urban research university in Maryland, USA known for its excellence in teaching, intensive research, effective public service and community engagement is proposing a collaboration with National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration, Ondo. Representing MSU, a distinguished research awardee of the university, Professor Hakeem Ibikunle Tijani expounded that Morgan prepares diverse and competitive graduates for success in a global, interdependent society. He made this remark while paying a working visit to the corporate headquarters of NIEPA Nigeria in Ondo City where he made a presentation titled “Towards a Sustainable Next Level” NIEPA and Internalization.
Prof. Hakeem said his visit to NIEPA Ondo is aimed at signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute which will resonate in developing a strategic plan predicated on sustainable partnership, internalization of the curricular and activities, engaging in alternative revenue for sustainability, developing and sustaining a cross border policy(NPE) and human capacity development of staff effectiveness. He further said that the partnership which is about “all of us” is open to all academic and non-academic staff. According to the university scholar, MSU established in 1867 is the largest in Maryland with about 23 universities in Nigeria benefitting from its various levels of partnership.
Responding to the proposed collaboration and partnership plan, Ag. Director General and Chief Executive of NIEPA Professor Olatoun Akinsolu stated that the meeting could not have come at a better time and juncture in NIEPA’s life cycle. Prof. Akinsolu reiterated that NIEPA’s mandate is such that so much is expected from the Institute in terms of education sector manpower development. While reiterating the need for the MSU/NIEPA partnership, she said “we are thus expected to teach, train and build the capacities of personnel (students, school level managers and planners through continuing professional development and research).” Akinsolu listed some areas of collaboration between the two educational organizations to include; designing of courses on management and school administration, designing framework for capacity development of school level managers and planners, award of degree and PGDE in Educational Administration and Planning, management training for school administrators, collaborative research on Teacher Professional Development Impact Assessment (IA) etc.
NIEPA’S Director General promised to come up with an action plan in a single document addressing the “Internalization of a sustainable next level” in NIEPA.