Opportunities abound in the US for UNILORIN scholars – US Mission

The United States Embassy in Abuja has assured students and staff of the University of Ilorin of the numerous opportunities available for those interested in teaching, conducting research, undertaking professional projects, and pursuing postgraduate education in the United States of America through the Fulbright Programme.

            This assurance was given last Tuesday (May 21, 2024) by the Public Diplomacy Officer (PDO) at the US Embassy, Ms. Katarina Lage Ramos, during her courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin, which set the stage for an interactive session with undergraduate students in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The session aimed to guide and prepare the students for postgraduate opportunities in the United States.

Speaking at the event, Ms Ramos mentioned various programmes and opportunities that the US Embassy offers through its EducationUSA programme. She said the EducationUSA Advising Centre at the Public Affairs Section of the United States is designed to assist students who are interested in pursuing postgraduate degrees in the United States by offering students access to accurate, comprehensive, and current information about educational institutions in the United States. She added that the Mission is keen to ensure that Nigerian students have access to the necessary resources and information to pursue their academic dreams.

While stating the Embassy’s interest in developing a relationship with UNILORIN to extend the network of American spaces by ensuring that members of the university community benefits from these valuable resources, the Public Diplomacy Officer discussed the potential expansion of the American spaces programme, which provides free academic resources to students and teachers. “We know that access to information is key for academic success, and we are very excited to make these opportunities available to UNILORIN students,” Ms Ramos stated.

Speaking on the available specialised programmes and academic exchanges, the Diplomat said that the Fulbright programme could be used to bring American scholars to Nigeria to assist with curriculum development and meet specific academic needs.

Ms Ramos further assured the University that “If you have students interested in particular academic pursuits, we have a study programme in US institutions. This year, we are focusing on climate change and environmental studies at a six-week programme where participants would learn how the United States and its institutions operate.

Also speaking on the Mandela Washington Fellowship a programme that has been taking young African leaders to the United States for the past decade and future collaborations, Ms Ramos said, “This year marks the tenth anniversary of the programme, and there will be professionals engaging with US institutions to create opportunities for learning about civic engagement, business, and entrepreneurship development”.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has expressed great pride in the Fulbright scholars at the University, describing them as some of the brightest minds on campus.

The Vice Chancellor, who spoke through the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovations), Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole, said that the management is very proud of the institution’s Fulbright scholars for bringing the embassy to the campus and for creating opportunities for undergraduate students of the institution.

Prof. Egbewole reaffirmed the University’s commitment to fostering an environment that engages students in critical thinking, career advancement, and forward movement as he appreciated the staff of the US Embassy who would be working with youth and students of the University of Ilorin to engage in critical thinking and career advancement.