UNIZIK strengthens global academic partnerships, signs MoU with Rwandan university

By Ifeizu Joe 

In line with its vision of expanding international collaborations and promoting academic excellence, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kigali Independent University (ULK), Rwanda, to deepen cooperation in teaching, research, innovation and staff/student development.

The agreement, drafted in April 2026 and signed virtually on Wednesday, 15th July 2026, establishes a strategic framework for collaboration between the two institutions across key disciplines, including STEM, Education, Humanities, Management and the Social Sciences.

The partnership is designed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise, promote academic, scientific and cultural cooperation, and encourage collaborative research that addresses contemporary societal challenges.

Under the terms of the MoU, both universities will jointly organise conferences, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, symposia and short professional courses in areas of mutual interest. The agreement also provides for the exchange of scholarly publications and scientific information, joint authorship of research publications, curriculum development, and collaborative research projects.

Other major areas of collaboration include joint teaching activities, cultural exchange programmes, staff development initiatives, exchange of academic and administrative personnel, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate student exchange programmes. The institutions also agreed to collaborate in the joint supervision of Master’s and PhD research while holding periodic meetings to review progress and identify new opportunities for cooperation.

To ensure effective implementation, each university will appoint a designated MoU Coordinator to oversee the execution of agreed activities. The collaboration will be guided by the priorities and strategic needs of both institutions, while preserving the intellectual property rights arising from joint research and innovation.

The Memorandum of Understanding will remain in force for an initial period of five years, with the option of renewal by mutual consent. It also provides mechanisms for amicable dispute resolution and clarifies that the agreement does not impose legally binding financial obligations on either institution, while allowing both parties to seek internal or external funding to support collaborative initiatives.

During the virtual signing of the MoU, Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie sat with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Alex Asigbo, the University Registrar, Dr. Chinenye Gloria Okeke, the University Librarian, Prof. Jacinta Eze and the Director, International Collaboration and Linkages, Prof Charles Nwadigwe.

The Vice Chancellor gave a rundown and overview of the UNIZIK academic programmes, campuses and affiliate institutions expressing delight that the present engagement with Kigali Independent University will be of mutual benefit to both universities and also contribute in expanding knowledge, research and collaboration across Africa.

The Vice-Chancellor of Kigali Independent University, Prof. Martins Onyekwelu Onuorah, signed the agreement on behalf of the Rwandan institution. Nnamdi Azikiwe University while the university will also designate its own institutional coordinator to drive the implementation of the partnership.

The MoU represents another milestone in Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s growing internationalisation agenda and underscores the University’s commitment to building strategic global partnerships that enhance teaching, research, innovation, capacity building and international academic mobility for staff and students.