Jos – Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Jonathan Richardson, has said that Australia would partner the University of Jos to develop its agriculture and mining studies.
Richardson made the promise on Wednesday when he visited the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Hayward Mafuyai, in Jos.
He explained that the visit was to create an entry point for good relationship with the Nigerian education sector as well as a closer understanding of the institution and its programmes.
“In the past five to 10 years, there has been a good working and trade relationship between Nigeria and Australian Government.
“Australian Government intends to help Nigerian education sector with capacity building, scholarships for students and to explore the agriculture and mining sectors.
“Research in these areas of will deepen such ties and there will be an opportunity for development,’’ he said.
According to him, there is a growing Australian interest in the Nigerian education sector as the number of Nigerian students studying in Australian rises by the day.
The envoy said that some Australian universities had established links with Nigerian institutions in recent times and that it would be helpful in advancing opportunities that may arise.
He added that the University of Jos had other areas, apart from agriculture and mining that were of interest to his country, saying that they included medical sciences.
In his remarks, the vice-chancellor said that the university which had existed for 40 years was working towards attaining the highest international standard.
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He said that the institution was a ‘’centre of excellence in the area of research’’ and had added three new faculties of engineering, veterinary medicine and agriculture to its size.
He urged the Australian government to use the university to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s economy through research. (NAN)
