Prof Shamsudeen O O Amali
Nasawara State University (NSUK) of Nigeria has expressed interest in student, faculty and staff exchange programs with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). This was stated by the Vice Chancellor of NSUK, Prof. Shamsudeen O.O.Amali during a visit to AIT on 20 September 2010.
Prof. Amali stated that NSUK was impressed with AIT and was keen on training and enhancing its pool of experts. “We are short of experts and would like AIT to train our staff,” Prof. Amali said. The Vice Chancellor remarked that NSUK would like to establish linkages in both student and staff exchange, apart from training programs. The linkage could also be extended to material and research exchange, he added.
Prof. J.O.E.Otuka, Deputy Vice Chancellor of NSUK elaborated on the academic offerings of his university. The delegation included Prof. Ebele Amali, Professor of Economics at NSUK and Fatima Othman, Director of Linkages, NSUK. Prof. Elebe Amali is one of the only five female professors of Economics in Nigeria.
Welcoming the delegates, Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Director, AIT Extension stated that AIT was very proud to host students from Nigeria. We encourage more students from Nigeria and would like to work closely with NSUK, Dr. Shaw added.
Dr. Roland Amoussou-Guenou, adjunct faculty, School of Management (SOM), AIT and founder, Asia-Africa Foundation (ASAFO) spoke on the Asia Africa Initiative and Foundation. “Earlier both Asia and Africa were at similar levels of development, but the Asian miracle has ensured better lives for people,” Dr. Roland said. There is no reason why the lessons learnt in Asia cannot be replicated in Africa, he remarked. He also presented a gift to AIT on behalf of His Excellency Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, Executive Governor, Nasarawa State.
Dr.Weerakorn Ongsakul, Dean, School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) appreciated the interest of NSUK in AIT, particularly in the field of environment. Dr. Othniel Mintang Yila, Program Coordinator, ERCO narrated how he preferred AIT as a destination as opposed to other renowned universities, so that he could contribute towards Nigeria’s development. Mr. Vickrant Gurung, Program Associate, School of Management (SOM) spoke about the academic offerings at SOM. Ms. Wannapa Pliansri, Coordinator, RTG Relations Coordinator also joined the meeting.
Dr. Gregory L.F.Chiu, Coordinator, Offshore Technology and Management (OTM) Field of Study at School of Engineering and Technology (SET) elaborated on the linkage of Offshore Technology program with Nigeria. Four students from Nigeria, two of whom are studying in the OTM program, also joined the meeting and shared their positive experience
of studying at AIT. The students included Mr. Lawal U. Kankia and Mr. Ahmadu Babaji Babadidi (both of OTM), Miss Kabati Baba Tokara, a student of Gender and Development Studies at AIT’s School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) and Mr. Wilson Udo Udofia Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Management (CEIM).
This meeting follows a joint visit to Nigeria by Prof. Vilas Wuwongse, Professor, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), and Dr. Roland in June 2009.
