The Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) is looking to expand its academic horizons and boost its technological capabilities through a proposed partnership with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria.
NILEST Director General and CEO, Dr. Auwal Mustapha Imam, and his management team visited ABU on Tuesday to discuss potential collaborations with Vice Chancellor Professor Kabiru Bala.
Top of the agenda was a proposed affiliation that would allow NILEST to award degree programs in leather and leather product science and technology. Currently, NILEST offers only diplomas, national diplomas, and higher national diplomas. An affiliation with ABU would enable the institute to offer bachelor's and potentially other advanced degrees, significantly broadening educational opportunities in this specialized field.
Dr. Imam stressed the importance of the affiliation for NILEST’s growth and the benefits it would bring to students, who would gain access to a wider range of academic programs and resources.
Beyond academics, the two institutions explored potential collaborations in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Dr. Imam expressed a keen interest in leveraging ABU's advanced ICT facilities and expertise for service provision, facilities utilization, and staff training at NILEST.
Professor Bala welcomed the NILEST delegation and expressed ABU's enthusiasm for the proposed partnership. "We have collaborated with many institutions," he said, "so why not NILEST, our immediate neighbor and sister institution?"
A committee will be formed under ABU's academic planning unit to assess the requirements for the proposed affiliation, Professor Bala confirmed. He assured the NILEST team that the process would begin as soon as the necessary criteria are met. Regarding ICT collaboration, Professor Bala highlighted ABU's leading role in the field, stating, "We have the best ICT facilities in sub-Saharan Africa. You know ABU is ahead in everything, not only in ICT."
He pledged the university's full cooperation in exploring joint ventures in this area.
The potential collaboration between NILEST and ABU promises to enhance education and training in leather technology and promote innovation through shared ICT resources.
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