Nigerian Delegates Conclude Productive Visit to UNMC, Strengthening International Partnerships
A delegation from Nigeria, including Dr. Rislana Abdulazeez Kanya, Member of the Board of Trustees and CEO of the Centre for Climate-Smart Agriculture at Cosmopolitan University Abuja and also serving as Technical Adviser to the Governor of Jigawa State on ICT and Digital Economy and Professor Isah Yusuf Chamo, Commissioner of Higher Education Science and Technology for Jigawa State, Nigeria, concluded a successful three-day visit to the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and University of Nebraska Omaha from Wednesday, February 5, to Friday, February 7, 2025. The visit aimed to foster collaboration and explore opportunities for medical education and related partnerships.
The delegation's itinerary, meticulously organised by Dr. Hannah Tong, Executive Director for Academic Partnerships at UNMC, showcased the breadth of UNMC's expertise and facilities.
Thursday, February 6, included a campus tour. The delegates then went to the Lunar New Year Celebration at the Truhlsen Events Centre. The afternoon was dedicated to key meetings, including discussions with the University of Nebraska Omaha International Programs. This meeting included Dr. Jody Neathery-Castro, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Global Engagement; Emily Hassenstab, Interim Director of International Programs; and Louisa Ehrlich, Assistant Director of Global Partnerships and Recruitment. A subsequent meeting with Blayne Sharpe, Director of Global Partnerships & Initiatives at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, further underscored the potential for collaboration, leveraging Sharpe's extensive experience in sustainable partnership between the University of Nebraska and Rwanda.
Friday, February 7, featured an extensive program focused on UNMC's cutting-edge facilities and academic departments. The delegates toured iEXCEL at the Davis Global Centre. Meetings were held with the College of Nursing, including discussions with Dean Dr Lepine Sharp-McHenry and Dr. Beth Beam, Director of Global Health. This was followed by a tour of the Global Centre for Health Security with Prof John Lowe, Director of the Centre.
After the tour a meetings was held with the top leadership of UNMC including Dr. Ying Zhang, Chair, Department of Biostatistics; Dr. John Lowe, Chair, Department of Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health and Director, Global Center for Health Security; Dr. Abbie Raikes, Director, Center for Global Health and Development and Dr. Jesse Bell, Director-Water, Climate, Health Program & Director, Environmental Health.
The visit culminated in a crucial meeting with UNMC leadership at Aita Balcony, including Dr. Dele Davies, Interim Chancellor and Dr. Ken Bayles, Vice Chancellor for Research. This pivotal visit laid a strong foundation for future partnerships and collaborations between Cosmopolitan University and Jigawa State Government and UNMC. Discussions during the visit explored potential outcomes, including establishment of a 2+2 degree program, summer programs, faculty exchange initiatives and robust research and innovation collaborations. Furthermore, support for Jigawa State to convert Khadija University into a medical university was also discussed. The Nigerian delegation deeply appreciates Interim Chancellor Dr. Dele Davies for hosting this visit.