NHEF News
07-10-2009
:: UI wins N108m MacArthur Foundation Grant
From AKEEB ALARAPE, IbadanFriday, July 10, 2009Originally published in the Daily Sun
Authorities of the University of Ibadan (UI) added another cap to its success stories yesterday as the institution was selected along with nine other top world universities for the MacArthur Foundation grant of $900,000, equivalent of N108 million, to host a new Master’s Degree programme in Development Practice.The institution is the only Nigerian university among the winners of the grant and one out of three African universities selected with three others from the United States of America and one each from Europe, Australia, India and China.
Each of the lucky participating institution is expected to produce 250 graduates with Master’s Degree in Development Practice by year 2012.The selection of UI followed a facilities tour of the institution by representatives of Columbia University, U.S.A, who came to discuss with the university authorities on collaborative efforts on Masters Degree programme in Development Practice (MDP), on May 11, this year.In a release issued by the Registrar of the institution, Mrs. Omotayo Ikotun, it was disclosed that over 70 universities from North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America submitted proposals for the grant, out of which only 10 were finally picked.
Ikotun explained that the choice of UI and nine others was based on numerous criteria including; ‘support from top university leadership, excellent infrastructures and academic programmes, the ability to serve as a regional hub, geographical representation among students, exceptional faculty and a timeline and business plan for financial sustainability when funding ends in three years’.Speaking on the new post-graduate programme, the registrar disclosed that it would provide broad-based postgraduate training for a new generation and development experts, adding, “the programme will provide an avenue for advanced interdisciplinary training and education in sustainable development practice for Sub-Saharan Africa.”
As against the conventional courses, Ikotun pointed out that the new programme would combine classroom study with field experiences in a range of disciplines including agriculture, policy, health, engineering, management, environmental sciences, education and nutrition to produce all round development practitioners and policy advisors, who will form the core of the next generation of critically needed professionals.
“It is designed to provide graduate students with training beyond the typical focus on classroom study of economics and management found in most development studies. The programme’s core curriculum bridges the natural sciences, health sciences, social sciences and management,” part of the release stated.