The Institute of Africa Higher Education Research and Innovation (IAHERI), Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, has begun discussion with a US-based organization, Development Aid, on potential areas of partnership for mutually beneficial relationships.
In a virtual meeting, the Director of the institute, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Haruna, said the discussion was aimed at exploring avenues where MAAUN could have the opportunity to secure research grants from the international development agency for the execution of impact-oriented projects in the University.
Prof. Sadiq, who coordinated the meeting, raised salient points for clarification on the activities of the prospective partner agency, assuring that all issues discussed on the partnership would be accorded the necessary attention for its actualization.
He noted that the collaboration, when materialized, would promote the mandate of IAHERI which include stimulating research culture among faculty members in higher institutions in Africa, leading to scientific and technological innovations as well as capacity building training workshops.
According to him, other areas covered by the institute include facilitating scholarship and support for masters and doctoral degrees, youth empowerment, leadership development and job creation among others.
The Director lauded the Founder and Chairman Governing Council of MAAUN, Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, for his painstaking support and commitment to providing an enabling environment for effective teaching and learning.
In her presentation, the Corporate Department Business Development Manager of the Agency, Ms Sofia Gujejianni described her organization as the largest network of funding which consists of development banks, financial institutions, multilateral and bilateral donors, foundations and NGOs.
She noted that when the proposed partnership becomes a reality, the membership-based organization would assist the University to diversify and secure a portfolio of funding sources through loans, tenders and grants.
According to her, aside from providing consultancy services, the organization also designs templates that allows partners to stay focused, to track and maintain their projects in addition to providing an expert database for quality research production.
Sofia, who spoke at length on the operations of the Development Aid, explained that the collaboration would give MAAUN the opportunity to track other funding opportunities, look for potential development partners and development experts from the organization.
She expressed satisfaction with the level of seriousness of MAAUN towards achieving academic excellence, saying even though the institution is new, but yet one of the best in Africa in the areas of research and development.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Vice President Administration, Dr. Habib Awais Abubakar, who gave an overview of the University, said the institution is interested in diversification in areas of science programs such as physiotherapy, nursing and medical laboratory, among others.
He expressed the University\’s commitment to signing the document as soon as all necessary modalities are followed, stressing that the collaboration, when established, would develop the potentials of MAAUN students in no small measure.
Also speaking, the President of the University, Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Israr, gave the assurance that the University would give all necessary support and cooperation for the success of the proposed partnership.
Other officials of the University in attendance at the meeting were the Director, General Education, Dr. Abdullahi Garba and Hayatudden muhammad Abdallah from the Corporate Communication and Protocol Unit of the University.
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