King's College London officially launched the Afe Babalola Centre for Transnational Education and formalised a partnership with the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) at a signing event in Nigeria in July.
President & Principal, Professor Shitij Kapur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which builds on the partnership between the two institutions to deliver collaborative activities including the development of a joint degree in Law and summer school activities.
There are two things which unite King's and ABUAD. The first is a commitment to education and the second is a commitment to serve society. We are delighted to be developing this partnership and building a relationship rooted in a shared commitment to advancing education, knowledge and skills.
President & Principal, Professor Shitij Kapur
The visit provided the opportunity to formally launch the Afe Babalola Centre for Transnational Education at King's. The Centre has been established following a personal donation by Aare Afe Babalola. Its aim is to give talented young people the knowledge and skills to improve their own situations, transforming their lives and communities.
The Centre will explore topics from personal empowerment to gender-inclusive decision making, mediation, to transnational problem solving. This work will also empower young people to pursue a future of their choosing, with a university education being just one of many possibilities.
The Afe Babalola Centre for Transnational Education will enable Africa's best minds to become local, national and global leaders. The continent will play a central role in addressing the most pressing challenges of our time - such as migration, climate change, inequalities and social justice. This is a sustainable programme of global education and collaboration that will enable us to share best practice, develop new approaches to learning and benefit generations to come.
Professor 'Funmi Olonisakin, Vice-President International, Engagement and Service and Professor of Security, Leadership and Development at the African Leadership Centre, King's College London
Both the MOU with ABUAD and the Afe Babalola Centre for Transnational Education build on King's long-standing commitment to Africa and a legacy of working in collaboration with African academics and institutions to deliver education and research partnerships in the region. The trip also signified the first time a serving Principal of King's has visited Nigeria.
During the visit, Professor Kapur met with the Nigerian Universities Commission - the regulatory agency for the delivery of quality university education in the country - to discuss how King's will co-develop new education partnerships with Nigerian universities.
Professor Shitij Kapur and Professor 'Funmi Olonisakin also attended two events for the King's alumni community in Nigeria and Professor Kapur welcomed the opportunity to strengthen King's international connections.
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Vice President (International, Engagement & Service)
President & Principal of King's College London
