Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in collaboration with Central South University, China, is to expand its 3+2 double degree partnership, aimed at deepening technology education and skills development in Nigeria.

ABU disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. The decision to reactivate the partnership followed a virtual meeting on Friday, underscoring renewed commitment to international collaboration to strengthen engineering, science, and technology education.

It explained that the partnership, initiated in 2017 under the China-Africa Cooperation framework, allows students to study three years at ABU, and two years at CSU, earning degrees from both institutions.

“The programme commenced in 2018 with 45 ABU students studying in China, but was disrupted in 2021 by COVID-19 lockdowns, though it demonstrated strong benefits of cross-border academic cooperation globally,” it said.

According to the statement, the vice-chancellor, Adamu Ahmed, described the initiative as a flagship model for engineering education.

He added that the initiative also strengthens global partnerships, boosts technology transfer, innovation, research capacity, and human capital development in Nigeria.

The VC welcomed the expansion plans, which include staff exchanges, joint research supervision, renewable energy, computer engineering, and medical sciences.

He described the ABU–CSU partnership as a strong example of China–Africa cooperation in technology advancement.

(NAN)