FUL and Kogi College of Education, Ankpa sign deal for study centre
- Federal University Lokoja will supervise a study centre at Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa.
- The deal lets diploma holders convert their qualifications into degrees in subjects including Accounting and Computer Science.
- Both leaders say the partnership cuts travel costs and brings university programmes closer to Ankpa students.
Students and teachers at Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, will soon be able to earn university degrees closer to home. The college has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Federal University Lokoja (FUL) to set up a study centre and academic affiliation.
The agreement was signed at the FUL Vice-Chancellor's office, eight months after the college first raised the idea, according to accounts from both institutions.
FUL Vice-Chancellor Prof. Gbenga Ibileye said the college's Provost, Dr Paul Femi Fashagba, came to him soon after he took office with a proposal that would help both sides. He said the university wants to reach institutions within its catchment area with its programmes.
What the centre will offer
Under the deal, the centre will run programmes in Mass Communication, Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Industrial Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Computer Science, Business Education, Statistics, Mathematics and Physics, among others.
The arrangement also covers conversion, where holders of diplomas and other qualifications can turn them into degrees. Fashagba said FUL assessed the college before agreeing. Ibileye said every programme will follow FUL's procedures and quality checks.
The Vice-Chancellor said teaming up with a university nearby spares the college the cost and stress of dealing with one far away. He said logistics and requests can now be sorted out without officials making long trips.
Fashagba described the signing as a dream come true and thanked FUL for counting the college worthy. He promised the college would not disappoint, and said the centre will run under FUL's supervision.
Kogi State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology Hellen Aderibigbe praised the leaders of both institutions, saying the deal will improve teaching and learning.
What happens next
The sources did not say when the study centre will open or what the programmes will cost. FUL said its quality assurance standards will apply to everything run under the partnership.
