Lancaster University agrees a new joint PhD programme with one of Nigeria’s top universities.
The agreement follows a visit to the University of Benin in Nigeria earlier this year by Professor Kirk T Semple and Dr Adan Odon from the Lancaster Environment Centre.
Environmental issues, including pollution, energy security, waste management, food and water security, are of major concern in Nigeria. The two universities will jointly supervise high quality PhD students focussing on these areas.
Professor Osayuki Oshodin, the Vice Chancellor of University of Benin, agreed the research collaboration, which was formalised during a visit to Lancaster University by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor John Okhuoya and the Director of the National Centre for Energy and Environment, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye.
During the visit Lancaster’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Mark E Smith, was invited to give the prestigious Convocation Lecture at the Benin’s Founder’s Day celebration in November.
The University of Benin, which has 55,000 students, has also offered to host an Academia-Industry Forum in partnership with Lancaster University. It will be the first university-led event of its kind in Nigeria, and will bring together the CEOs and senior management of the biggest companies in Nigeria for extensive discussions with academics.