A team from the PennState University in the United States of America (USA) on Thursday visited the Federal College of Education (FCE), Osiele in Abeokuta as part of moves to forge a partnership especially in the area of research through linkages.
The College management led by the Provost, Dr Rafiu Soyele, received a five (5) member team led by the Dean, Faculty of Education, PennState University, Pennsylvania, USA, at the institution’s premises in Abeokuta.
The team was in the College to have first hand information on how they could collaborate with the College in various courses of study.
Speaking at the meeting, the Soyele noted that upon his appointment as Provost , among his cardinal objectives was the need for collaboration and linkages with other institutions and organisations within and outside the Country.
The Provost noted that such opportunity came with the Investiture of Oba Prof. Saka Matemilola, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom as a Fellow of the College where he promised to help further the Institution’s researches through linkages.
Soyele , who gave the American University team a brief about the College and its core mandate, discussed areas of possible mutual collaboration and cooperations including innovations, creativity, agriculture and the Sciences.
Speaking in the same vein, the Deans, School of Education, Dr. J.B. Filani; School of Early Childhood, Care, Primary, Adult and Non Formal Education, Dr. A.T. Ariba; School of Science, Dr. I.A. Mofikoya; Directors of Centre for Advancement and Linkages, Dr. K.R.Ojo and Centre for Innovation, Creativity and E- Learning, Dr. A.R Agbonna , reiterated the desire for a sound collaboration for exchange and researches with the PennState University and giving reasons why FCE Abeokuta was suitable for such collaboration.
The Registrar, Dr. G.A. Adebayo also assured a sound Registry that would take care of proper records of such relationship while the Librarian, Dr. C.E. Olaotan also used the medium to inform on the College Library and the desire to collaborate through encouraging students to appreciate reading culture for better understanding of the world.
In her own remarks, the leader of the delegation, Prof. Kilberly Lawless emphasized that knowledge was not static and they were in the institution to see how collaborating with the College could also help improve their University and in turn be favourable to the College.
She highlighted their desires for a relationship that could help create a robust exchange between the two institutions.
Other members of her team also discussed on individual expectations from the collaboration.
Similarly, the Orunto of Owu Kingdom, High Chief Abiodun Lasile who represented the Olowu of Owu Kingdom at the meeting noted that Kabiyesi was interested in the collaboration and wished the two institutions well.
On the PennState University team were : Professors Esther Obonyo, S’oerd Duiker, Sylvester Osagie and Director Nel White.
The Team was taken on a tour of the College and Gallery after they had been decorated with the College lapel pins as friends of the College.
