By Felix-Joe Chibunkem
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Anambra State, continues to expand its international footprint through active participation in the second session of the Brazil-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM), held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The high-level diplomatic event, which took place from 23rd to 25th June 2025, marked the launch of a renewed partnership between Nigeria and Brazil, with a focus on strengthening cooperation across key development sectors including Agriculture, Defence, Culture and Tourism, Health, Petrochemicals, Manufacturing, Trade and Investment, Legal Affairs, Police and Intelligence, Energy and Climate, Education, Science and Technology, and Food Security.
COOU was the only public university selected to represent Nigeria’s tertiary education sector at this phase of the SDM, reflecting the institution’s rising prominence in international academic diplomacy. The university was represented by its Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, and the Director of Collaboration and Linkages, Professor Ngozi N. Joe-Ikechebelu.
As part of the event, COOU was invited to a Joint Commission meeting comprising Brazilian officials led by Mr. Jose Celso Freire Junior and Nigerian educational stakeholders, including the National Universities Commission (NUC), TETFund, and the Maryam Abacha American University. The commission focused on outlining strategies for educational collaboration between Nigeria and Brazil, particularly in promoting inter-university partnerships and enhancing the internationalisation of Nigerian education.
During the discussions, Professor Joe-Ikechebelu advocated for the adoption of a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) framework tailored to local realities in Nigeria, drawing from successful models in Brazil and other countries in the Global North. The Brazilian representative confirmed the CBPR model has been effectively used for over three decades in Brazil.
Highlighting its commitment to community-driven research, COOU presented five interdisciplinary participatory research proposals to the Joint Commission and showcased ongoing CBPR initiatives, including signed Memoranda of Understanding with local community organisations. These efforts were commended by the commission, reinforcing COOU’s reputation as a research-driven institution with global relevance.
How this contributes to COOU’s growth lies in the opportunities for deeper international partnerships, collaborative research, and increased academic exchange strategic moves that position the university as a key player in Africa’s higher education landscape.
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