Written by Chioma Obinna
The Czech Republic has expressed interest in partnering with the University of Ibadan (UI) to develop a model that can foster the development of Nigeria in various sectors, particularly education.
Martin Čech, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Czech Embassy in Nigeria, and Professor Jan Zahožík of the University of West Bohemia in the Czech Republic announced this at a colloquium organized by the Embassy in collaboration with UI.
The colloquium was attended by experienced and internationally acclaimed academics from the University of Ibadan. This included discussions on the Czech Republic and Nigeria in the context of EU-Africa relations and cooperation between Czech Republic and EU universities towards a better future.
In his speech, Czech Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Čech said that the motivation for this program was to create mutually beneficial cooperation that would lead to development. Cech said that while the colloquium was appropriate, it would initiate further discussions to maintain diversity and strengthen development.
Zahodzyk, who is also a professor of African studies at the University of West Bohemia, said the Czech Republic’s education system and development model could be transferred to Nigeria.
He said, “I’m very happy to be here at this prestigious university in Nigeria, if not West Africa.” There are two things we are trying to accomplish with this. One of these is to continue meaningful dialogue between the Czech Republic and Nigeria regarding the roles that the Czech Republic and Nigeria will play in the changing global environment, which is shifting from a unipolar world to a multipolar one, and how our country can The key is to consider how to redesign and redefine it. relationship.
“The second one, which is more academic, is to find key areas of cooperation in fields such as engineering and social sciences and other fields. We plan to apply for a joint program and establish several academic collaborations involving scientific, publishing, research, academic exchanges and mobility.”
Colloquium resource persons, UI professors Isaac Olawale Albert and Francis Egbokare, said Nigeria could learn a lot from the Czech Republic.
Albert, who is a world-renowned academic, said the colloquium was aimed at building partnership between Nigeria and the Czech Republic and learning from development models for sustainable development.
“The Czech Republic has a 99 percent literacy rate. The gross domestic product (GDP) is $326 billion. I am fascinated by this country. We want to understand the philosophy behind their activities. This is a country to learn from. We need a new development strategy. We need new ideas. We need a different development model. This model must be a model that will bring results to Nigeria’s development. We need to produce scholars who will contribute to the development of the country.”
“The world is tired of old relationships and is looking for new ones. We have a problem to solve. To what extent are we adapting education to the problem? If we want to strengthen the system need to invest more resources in educating the system.”
Professor Egbokale, a literary figure, said in his lecture that there is much to learn from the Czech Republic. He said the informal sector was the largest in the country and called on European countries to consider this sector for sustainable relations.
Professor Olatunji Oyeshile of the Department of Philosophy, who moderated the event, also urged Nigeria to look inward and learn from the example of the Czech Republic rather than looking elsewhere.
“Countries are inward-looking and laws work there. They don’t have an energy crisis. Education must be tailored to our needs. Developing something within our culture And let’s spread it around the world. Let’s think in that direction. This is one of the things we have to learn from the Czech Republic,” Oyecile said.
Earlier, while opening the colloquium, the Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the university, Professor Olapegba, said no entity can become an island of itself.
“You have to look for people and organizations to cooperate with. If you want to go very quickly, you go alone, but if you want to go very far, you go together with others. This is why the Czech Republic and this platform That’s why we can discuss issues of mutual interest and how people can overcome challenges.”
The colloquium, which was held at the university’s Trenchard Hall, was attended by a number of prominent figures, including officials from the Czech Republic. Professor Peter Olapegba, Vice-Chancellor of Management; Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Professor Aderonke Bayeroju; Registrar, Ganiyu Saryu. Dr. Mercy Iloaganachi, University Librarian, and Professor Temidayo Ogundiran, Dean of Medicine. Professor Adejoke Akinyele, Dean, Department of Renewable and Natural Resources; Professor Ruth Adio-Moses, Director, Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies (IPSS), and Mrs. Adejoke Akinpelu, Deputy Registrar for Public Communication Directorate. Deputy Registrar of the VC Office, Mr. Oluwole Dada and many others.
