UNILAG, British Council Plan Collaboration on Transnational Education

Funmi Ogundare 

The management of the University of Lagos recently hosted a delegation of the British Council, including academics from leading tertiary institutions in the UK, for discussions on potential collaborations in the field of Transnational Education, as well as an opportunity for the guests to learn more about UNILAG’s academic programmes, research initiatives and infrastructure.

UNILAG’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, expressed the institution’s readiness to foster international collaborations that would enhance its students’ educational experience and opportunities. 

She emphasised the importance of providing students with access to global perspectives and experiences through the initiatives.

“The University of Lagos firmly believes that education knows no boundaries and international cooperation is essential for the advancement of knowledge and the development of societies,” she stated, adding that the British Council has been a longstanding partner in promoting educational exchanges between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. 

During the courtesy visit, both parties acknowledged the need for robust frameworks and mechanisms to ensure quality assurance and accreditation of TNE programmes, while the representatives of UK-based tertiary institutions in the British Council delegation presented the blueprints of their institution’s TNE policy.

The UK’s Head of Business and Trade, Tamir Ismail, disclosed that the visit aimed to explore potential collaborations and opportunities for transnational education between the United Kingdom and Nigerian institutions, including UNILAG. He highlighted the benefits of TNE programmes in promoting cultural exchange, knowledge transfer, and capacity building between nations. 

One of the representatives, Prof. Kirk Semple of Lancaster University, pointed out the collaboration between his university and Ghana, as the institution currently has a campus in Accra.