The Chartered Institute of Educational Practitioners, United Kingdom (CIEPUK), in collaboration with Paul University, Awka, and Soochow University, China, has announced the official launch of the Global Southern Studies/Research Centre (GSSRC), a flagship initiative aimed at strengthening cross-continental academic collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development.
The centre, located at Paul University in Awka, where CIEPUK’s African regional office is based, is designed to serve as a hub for cutting-edge research, academic exchange, and international partnerships, with a strong focus on tackling pressing challenges facing the Global South.
Key areas of research and cooperation will include technology and innovation, climate change adaptation, agriculture, health sciences, social development, and cultural exchange.
Speaking ahead of the unveiling, representatives of the partner institutions described the GSSRC as a milestone in academic diplomacy and a testament to the power of South-South cooperation in driving sustainable progress.
On the 17th of October 2025 at Nwawka auditorium, Paul University by 10 am, the official ceremony which is expected to host the Consular Representative of the People’s Republic of China, will highlight the deepening educational and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and China.
Amb. Prof. Marcel Ezenwoye, Global President of CIEPUK and Director of the Paul University Pre-degree Programme, who signed the announcement, said the centre would foster international academic collaboration, promote knowledge exchange, and generate innovative solutions to developmental challenges while enhancing cultural understanding across borders.
According to the organisers, the GSSRC will also provide opportunities for joint research publications, patents, policy-oriented studies, scholarships, exchange programmes, and training initiatives for Nigerian students and researchers.
Stakeholders noted that the centre would not only strengthen Nigeria’s position as a hub for global research collaboration in Sub-Saharan Africa but also directly contribute to advancing regional and national development strategies.
The unveiling is expected to draw dignitaries, academic leaders, students, and international guests in what has been described as a bold step toward building a shared future through education, research, and innovation.
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