The University of Ibadan (UI) situated in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, Nigeria, is collaborating with the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to introduce Kiswahili as a language of study in its Department of Linguistics and African Languages.
This was revealed today by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the two institutions of learning.
Speaking through the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Innovation and Strategic Partnerships (RISP), Professor Oluyemisi A. Bamgbose (SAN), during the virtual signing ceremony, Adebowale said the newly signed MoU would lead to the teaching of Kiswahili as an African language in the University of Ibadan’s Department of Linguistics and African Languages.
Adebowale stated that mutual understanding had existed between the University of Ibadan and Tanzania long before now, recalling that in 1976, UI conferred the Honorary Doctor of Laws on the late President Julius Mwalimu Nyerere in recognition of his contributions to the development of Africa.
The Vice Chancellor of Dar es Salaam University, Professor William A. L. Anangisye said the understanding would afford both institutions to learn more about each other.
According to him, he was pleased that the MoU would allow the teaching of Kiswahili, the lingua franca of Tanzania, and one of the official languages of the African Union.
The MoU will take the form of the development of joint research activities; exchange of undergraduate and postgraduate students; exchange of staff on sabbatical basis; mutual assistance in the establishment of new programmes; exchange of information and publications; and organisation of seminars, colloquia, symposia, conferences and workshops.
The symbolic virtual signing of the document was facilitated by the High Commissioner of Tanzania to Nigeria, Dr Benson A. Bana, who set up the virtual meeting between the two universities.
Bana said it was part of his Commission’s efforts to advance Tanzania/Nigeria bilateral ties.
In a short remark, the Head of the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, Professor Oye Taiwo, assured that necessary steps would be taken to ensure that the course is approved soon by the University of Ibadan Senate.
The two African universities have shared antecedents. While UI was established as a college of the University of London in 1948 and became a full-fledged University in 1962, Dar es Salaam was established as a campus of the University of London in 1961 but became a full-fledged University in 1970.
