I had a great time at UNILORIN – Visiting Italian scholar

A Professor of International Law from the Università di Torino, Italy, Prof. Maria Margherita Salvadori, has shared her experience and reflected on her time at the University of Ilorin, saying that she had a great time with her colleagues and other members of the University community.

Prof. Salvadori, who just completed her three-week visit to the University, shared her view last Monday (May 13, 2024), during her exit meeting with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, in his office.

The Italian Professor of International Law was a guest to the University of Ilorin Department of Jurisprudence and International Law. The visit was part of the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, University of Ilorin and the Law Department of Università di Torino, Italy.

At the exit meeting, Prof. Salvadori expressed her gratitude for the warm reception, care, and support extended to her by the University management, Faculty members and students during her stay.

While conveying her appreciation for the intellectual engagement she experienced with her colleagues at the University of Ilorin, the Italian scholar expressed pride and honour in visiting the University as she explained the significance of exchanging ideas with both familiar faces and new acquaintances.

While reflecting on the fruitful collaboration between the two institutions, Prof. Salvadori stressed the importance of financial support in facilitating future exchanges. She stressed the need to explore additional funding sources to overcome potential financial constraints, thereby ensuring the continuity and expansion of academic collaboration between Università di Torino and the University of Ilorin.

In his response, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Egbewole, expressed optimism about the sustenance of the exchange programme between the University of Ilorin and Università di Torino. He said the mutual benefits that such collaborations could bring to both institutions, their students, and academic staff include international cooperation and academic exchange.

Prof. Egbewole, who noted the importance of expanding the relationship beyond staff/student exchanges, proposed the exploration of avenues such as post-doctoral programmes, joint conferences, and workshops. He added that collaborative efforts are significant in realising the fundamental goals of establishing universities.

The Vice Chancellor explained that there is positive impact such relationships can have on the university’s global standing and ranking, noting that by fostering international collaborations, the University of Ilorin aims to enhance its academic reputation and contribute meaningfully to the global academic community.

Prof. Egbewole also extended an invitation for more representatives from the Università di Torino to visit the University of Ilorin and share expertise with its students and staff. He also issued a challenge to other Departments within the University to actively seek global partnerships, to align with the internationalisation agenda of his administration.

In his own remarks, the Head of the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, University of Ilorin, Prof. Azubike Onuora-Oguno, appreciated the University management for the support and encouragement shown to the Department that enabled them to make strides for the betterment of the students and the university.