Northwest University Sokoto NWUS has signed its first international Memorandum of Understanding MoU with the University of Lahore, Pakistan, in a move to deepen academic collaboration, research exchange, and global institutional engagement.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mukhtar Umar Bunza, disclosed this on Monday during a press conference, describing the agreement as a milestone in the university’s commitment to internationalisation and capacity development.
He said the partnership aligns with the vision of the Founder and Pro-Chancellor, Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, to advance higher education through cross-border cooperation and position the institution within the global academic ecosystem.
According to Bunza, the MoU establishes a structured framework for cooperation in teaching, research, training, and scholarly exchange, aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and expanding learning opportunities for students and faculty members.
He explained that both institutions would explore collaboration in academic exchange programmes, joint research initiatives, curriculum enrichment, and professional training.
The agreement also provides for participation in seminars, conferences, workshops, and other scholarly engagements to promote best practices in higher education delivery.
The Vice-Chancellor added that the partnership creates avenues for staff and student mobility, collaborative academic development, and the sharing of institutional expertise — initiatives expected to enhance research output and foster intercultural understanding.Emphasising the strategic significance of the agreement, Bunza said it represents a practical commitment to building sustainable academic bridges capable of delivering measurable gains in research productivity, capacity development, and educational quality.
He noted that the collaboration is anchored on the National Universities Commission NUC framework on Transnational Education, ensuring compliance with accreditation requirements, institutional capacity thresholds, and quality assurance safeguards governing cross-border academic partnerships.
The alignment with regulatory provisions, he said, reinforces transparency and academic integrity while supporting NWUS’s objective of responsibly internationalising its programmes in line with national policy directives guiding transnational higher education in Nigeria.Bunza expressed appreciation to the leadership of the University of Lahore for their cooperation, voicing confidence that the partnership would deliver mutual benefits to both institutions, their students, and society.
NASIR MALALI
