Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano, on Thursday, 9th March 2023, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with School of Orthopedic Cast Technology, Kano in the areas of research and training to promote academic excellence.
The partnership, which would also provide adequate clinical training services for science students of both institutions, was conducted at MAAUN campus located at Hotoro GRA, Kano.
Speaking at the occasion, the President of MAAUN, Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Israr, said as part of the agreement, MAAUN would provide further training for higher degrees for the graduates of SOCAST, which will be in the form of affiliation to the University.
Prof. Israr noted that when the MoU is implemented, students of the partner institutions would have free access to the medical facilities of each institution for their clinical training and research undertakings.
He said as part of its effort to promote health care delivery in the country, the University would establish a post-graduate training department for the graduates of SOCAST in order to enrich and broaden their future career for effective service delivery.
While stressing the importance of the partnership, Prof. Israr expressed the readiness of MAAUN to ensure the full implementation of the MoU for the benefits of students, faculty and entire members of the society.
In his remarks, the Provost of SOCAST, Mr. Thomas Matthew Ochimana, who expressed delight for the warm reception accorded them, said the collaboration became expedient in view of the growing need for their students to further their education beyond Diploma and HND levels.
Mr. Ochimana, who made a brief presentation about his institution, said Dala Orthopedic is the oldest and first of its kind in Nigeria to be established in Kano in the late 50s for the purpose of providing Orthopaedic and Trauma Care in Northern Nigeria.
Earlier in his speech, the Vice President Administration, Dr. Habib Awais Abubakar, emphasized the need for the partnership, saying School of Orthopedic shares some similarities with MAAUN as the College has a long history of excellence in areas of research and development.
He expressed optimism that when the MoU materialized, it would promote research, innovation and health care development thereby uplifting the two institutions to greater heights.
Dr. Awais, who described education as the backbone of development, noted that with the provision of quality and affordable education, issues bedeviling Africa such as the lingering and pervasive poverty, can easily be addressed.
He commended the Founder and Chairman Governing Council of MAAUN, Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, for his strong passion for education, research and human development.
Also speaking, the Head of Research Education and Training, SOCAST, Dr. Nasiru Musa Tahir expressed satisfaction that the state of the art facilities put in place in MAAUN merits the name of a University by whatever standard.
Dr. Tahir also disclosed that SOCAST is not restricted to providing orthopedic services only but expanded to offer other services as they currently have radiologists, family medicine, family physicians, gynecologists and pediatricians, among others.
He expressed the readiness of the college to ensure effective implementation of the MoU especially, in identified areas for the benefits of both students and staff of the two institutions.
In his vote of thanks, the Head of International Office, MAAUN, Engr. Bashir Garba, who thanked the participants for their time and commitment to ensuring that the partnership becomes a reality, also prayed for a successful implementation of the MoU.
Other members of staff present during the MoU include, the Admission Officer, SOCAST, Annuri A. Hussain, Education Officer, SOCAST, Farida Shitu Ibrahim and Hayatuddeen M. Abdallah from Corporate Communications and Protocol Unit of MAAUN.
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