NOUN VC leads Nigerian scholars to summit on ‘regional challenges’ in Morocco

Olufemi Peters, the vice-chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), is among Nigerian scholars at the ongoing Africa Centres of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact) regional workshop in Morocco. 

In a statement on Tuesday, Ibrahim Sheme, that varsity’s spokesperson, said the workshop commenced on Monday in Marrakech, Morocco, and is billed to end on June 2.

Sheme said the workshop, organised by the Association of African Universities (AAU), aims to enhance the “capacity of universities to deliver high-quality training and applied research to address regional development challenges”.

The spokesperson said the summit brings together leaders of the 53 Centres of Excellence, government representatives, key higher education stakeholders, policy think tanks, and partners such as the World Bank, the French Development Agency (AFD) and the AAU.

“The workshop has two series of events of two and three days duration respectively. The first, dubbed ‘ACE Impact-focused Project Implementation support sessions’ holds from Monday, May 29 to Tuesday, May 30, 2023,” the statement reads.

“The second, titled ‘Joint ACE-Morocco collaboration’, holds from Wednesday, May 31 to Friday, June 2, 2023.

“The first sessions, according to the organisers, will focus on continuing “the strong push towards project disbursements and fund utilisation and provide implementation support; provide a peer learning platform for the ACEs to discuss methods of achieving the more difficult disbursement-linked indicators (DLIs) such as international accreditation, internships (for select sectors), and institutional impact; and provide one-on-one support to centres following national supervision meetings for all fiduciary matters, including financial management, monitoring and evaluation, environmental and social safeguards, and procurement.

“The second category of events will discuss fostering ‘cross-country partnerships and networks between centres and Moroccan higher education institutions and private sector stakeholders, especially on joint research, entrepreneurship, and innovation opportunities; and provide opportunities for deep dive training and capacity building on moving research from the lab to market.”

Peters is leading the team from the Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL) domiciled at NOUN, Abuja, to the workshop.

Members of the team include Monioluwa Olaniyi, DVC (TIR); Grace Jonathan, the director of ACETEL, and others.