By Maryam Abeeb
The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities on Friday announced that it signed a “consortium agreement” alongside some other African universities in Russia on December 13, 2023.
In a statement released by the body, it noted that the agreement would foster academic exchange and knowledge transfer, especially in the areas of geology and mining.
Giving a breakdown of the number of institutions involved, the statement noted that over 130 organisations from 42 African countries, focusing on higher education, scientific institutions, geological communities, and mining companies signed the agreement.
The consortium aims to address challenges in the African education system, emphasising a shift from an agrarian to an industrial economic model,” it added.
According to the statement, the Rector of St Petersburg Mining University, Vladimir Litvinenko, highlighted the importance of technical universities focusing on priority goals and the need for a different higher education model in Africa.
The statement read in part, “The consortium’s mission extends to developing model laws for subsoil use management, emphasising state regulation to ensure African countries benefit more from resource exploitation.”
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