By Felix Khanoba
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has struck a deal with the United States-based
Morgan State University (MSU), that will see eligible Nigerian lecturers undergo various Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes in the American University.
TETFund, in a tweet on its twitter handle, @TETFundNg, described the agreement as not only commendable but historic.
“TETFund signs historic agreement with Morgan State University, USA, set to sponsor over 50 doctorates and postdoctoral researchers from Nigerian public tertiary institutions, annually,” the agency tweeted.
In a report posted on its website, Morgan State University, said the new educational collaboration with TETFund would run for five years and it is expected to “bring up to 50 (no less than 30) new Ph.D. students and up to 20 postdoctoral researchers” from Nigeria.
The University said its Board of Regents voted unanimously to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the TETFund, adding that the school is preparing to welcome the first cohort of students during the fall 2020 semester.
“This is an historic collaboration for Morgan State University, possibly the largest such agreement of its kind between an African nation and an American institution of higher education,” President of the University, David Wilson, was quoted to have said.
“Through our arrangement with the TETFund, not only will Morgan greatly enhance its standing as a high research university, but the resulting research could be globally beneficial. Morgan provides a world-class education, and we are appreciative of being given this opportunity to work in partnership with Nigeria to produce intellectual capital capable of advancing the nation toward its goals. This partnership also helps fulfill Morgan’s global aspirations while strengthening our relationships on the African continent,” he added.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, expressed delight for securing the partnership with the American University.
“We are glad to secure a worthy partnership with Morgan State University through the recently signed MoU that reflects a new paradigm in TETFund geared towards content development of more than 220 public tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria.
“These institutions are the direct beneficiaries of TETFund intervention lines, being academic staff training and development, R&D as well as the upcoming TETFund Centers of Excellence,” Bogoro said.
