The Vice-Chancellor of University of Calabar, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, has signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with major Chinese institutions aimed at strengthening academic cooperation, research, innovation, and international partnerships.
The agreements were signed during the Vice-Chancellor’s official visit to China alongside the institution’s Registrar, Dr. Mrs. Chukwuka Icha.
According to the university, the partnerships are expected to create new opportunities for students, researchers, and academic staff, while expanding the institution’s global academic presence.
During the visit, the UNICAL delegation held strategic meetings with officials of partner institutions to advance collaborations in education, scientific research, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and innovation development.
One of the agreements was signed with Southwest University for a five-year period. The partnership focuses on academic, cultural, and educational cooperation between both institutions.
Areas covered under the agreement include student and faculty exchange programmes, joint research initiatives, exchange of academic materials and publications, participation in conferences and seminars, as well as short-term academic programmes.
The university also entered into another five-year agreement with Sanya Research Institute of Hainan University to strengthen collaboration in scientific research, innovation, and academic development.
The agreement includes plans for commercialization and industrialization of scientific and technological breakthroughs in tropical agriculture, joint degree programmes, executive exchange initiatives, and the establishment of a Joint Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Hub known as the “Innovation Pod.”
Both institutions also agreed to promote industry-academia partnerships through research commercialization projects, executive workshops on technology transfer, and professional development programmes.
Similarly, UNICAL signed a two-year agreement with TusStar Business Incubator Co. Ltd for the establishment of the “TusStar UNICAL Innovation Centre.”
The centre is expected to serve as a regional innovation hub promoting technological, educational, industrial, and cultural cooperation between Nigeria and China.
According to the agreement, the centre will focus on research commercialization, youth technical training, entrepreneurship development, technology transfer, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and industrial growth.
The partnership is also expected to support Nigerian and Chinese businesses through localization services, research support, and business matchmaking initiatives.
While TusStar will provide technical expertise, training equipment, and international resource support, the University of Calabar will provide infrastructure, operational support, and local industry linkages for the innovation centre.
The UNICAL delegation also visited notable cultural sites in Beijing, including the Summer Palace and the Great Wall of China.