By Gabriel Ameh
The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has signed three major Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading Chinese institutions aimed at strengthening academic cooperation, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and global partnerships.
The agreements were signed by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, during an official visit to China alongside the Registrar, Dr. Mrs. Chukwuka Icha.
According to the university management, the partnerships are expected to create fresh opportunities for students, researchers, and academic staff while expanding UNICAL’s international academic footprint.
During the visit, the university delegation held strategic engagements with officials of the partner institutions to advance collaboration in education, scientific research, innovation development, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer.
One of the agreements was signed with Southwest University for a five-year academic and cultural cooperation programme. The partnership will promote student and faculty exchange programmes, joint research projects, exchange of academic publications and materials, participation in conferences and seminars, as well as short-term academic initiatives.
UNICAL also entered into another five-year agreement with the Sanya Research Institute of Hainan University to strengthen collaboration in scientific research and innovation development.
The agreement includes plans for the commercialization and industrialization of scientific breakthroughs in tropical agriculture, joint degree programmes, executive exchange initiatives, and the establishment of a Joint Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Hub known as the “Innovation Pod.”
Both institutions further agreed to promote stronger industry-academia partnerships through research commercialization projects, executive workshops on technology transfer, and professional development programmes.
Similarly, the University of Calabar signed a two-year agreement with TusStar Business Incubator Co. Ltd for the establishment of the “TusStar UNICAL Innovation Centre.”
The innovation centre is expected to serve as a regional hub for technological, educational, industrial, and cultural cooperation between Nigeria and China.
Under the partnership, the centre will focus on research commercialization, entrepreneurship development, youth technical training, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, technology transfer, and industrial growth.
The collaboration is also expected to support Nigerian and Chinese businesses through localization services, research support, and business matchmaking initiatives.
While TusStar will provide technical expertise, training equipment, and international resource support, UNICAL will provide infrastructure, operational support, and local industry linkages for the innovation centre.
As part of the visit, the UNICAL delegation also toured notable cultural sites in Beijing, including the Summer Palace and the Great Wall of China.
