By Alex Enebeli
Enugu, Oct. 2, 2024 (NAN) Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI), Enugu and the Lux Mundi University (LMU), Umuahia, the first private university in Abia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on exchange of programme.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LMU is the first ever private university in Umuahia, Abia State and was founded by a renowned banker, Prof. Gabriel Okenwa.
Addressing newsmen during the event in Enugu on Wednesday, the Vice Chancellor of GOUNI, Prof. Christian Anieke, said the MOU included mentoring of the LMU management.
Anieke said the mentoring was in line with a directive by the National University Commission (NUC) to help build the capacity of the staff and students of the new university.
He disclosed that the university since 2009, gained a lot of experiences and many other things that enhanced learning.
According to him, the university has three primary roles that include research, teaching and community service.
The vice chancellor added that the university had experiences in those areas which it shared with LMU.
“With 15 years in university education, we got experience in teaching and by mentoring them does not mean that they are going to be ours as every university is independent and as strong as other universities.
“But there are things they will learn from our own experience. We are going to use our understanding in entrepreneurship in helping them.
“Normally, it is three years of mentoring and we can develop the mentoring to friendship,” Anieke said.
He added that both institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), stressing that beyond mentoring, there were going to be continued collaboration between them.
“With the MoU, we are going to promote staff exchange as some of our students will be going there and theirs coming to us, cooperation in area of competition, debate and in research.
“I am excited about this mentorship because I want to see the university grow,” he said.
In his remarks, the founder of the university, Prof Okenwa, also said they got directive from the NUC to be mentored by GOUNI, saying that NUC discovered that GOUNI was a performing university with indelible mark.
“We want to learn and we are taking the mentoring serious. I came with erudite professors from our university and others.
“My vision is to be one of the best universities in the Southeast and on the global scene to interact and work with the global institutions to raise research, men and women of goodwill that will become confident entrepreneurial leaders worldwide.
“The university has commenced its 2023/ 2024 academic session with Management Sciences, Arts, Law and Nursing and Allied Medical Services,” he said.
Okenwa disclosed that the university would be officially unveiled on Nov. 22, explaining that LuX Mundi is a Latin word that means the Light Of The World.
The highlight of the training include the presentation of the LMU Logo, Clock, Prayer, pillow to GOUNI and signing of the MoU. (NAN)