Ruhr West University Visits Covenant University, Promises Stronger Academic Partnership

Covenant University recently welcomed a team from Ruhr West University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf, Germany. The visit was meant to strengthen the partnership between the two schools.

The team was led by Professor Felix Meckmann, who stated that the visit had been delayed for a long time due to travel restrictions and safety concerns. He was happy they could finally come and praised the peaceful and well-organised environment at Covenant University. “This visit was long overdue,” he said. “The atmosphere here feels like our campus in Germany.” He added that this visit marks the beginning of a stronger relationship between the two universities.

For over three years, both universities have collaborated virtually through the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project, enabling students and faculty to engage in online learning and work together. Despite the success of this digital interaction, both sides had always looked forward to meeting in person to build stronger ties.

Dr Isaac Akinwumi, Director of the International Office at Covenant University, thanked the school’s leadership for creating an environment that encourages global partnerships. He noted that this physical meeting would help boost trust and cooperation. In his welcome speech, Professor Timothy Anake, the Vice Chancellor of Covenant University, praised the visiting team’s efforts to travel to Nigeria and noted that their team’s diversity reflected the true global academic values. “We admire the mix of cultures in your team. It is a model we are also trying to build here,” he said.

Professor Anake noted that their current partnership had primarily focused on Civil Engineering and Building Technology. However, plans are now in place to extend it to areas such as Information Technology, Business, Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences. The visit ended with both universities holding a strategy session to discuss expanding their partnership. Plans for a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were discussed, which would include student and staff exchange programmes, joint research projects, and shared academic events.

Professor Meckmann confirmed that Ruhr West is ready to host Covenant University students and lecturers in Germany and said he believes the stronger ties will benefit both schools in many ways.

This visit marks a significant step in fostering a lasting partnership between the two institutions, founded on academic excellence, shared values, and a commitment to addressing global challenges through education and research.