Ahmadu Bello University has assumed the Rotating Presidency of the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) for 2024.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof Kabiru Bala, said he accepted the challenge with all sense of responsibility and pledging to do the best to move the institute forward during the period.
With its assumption of the rotating presidency, ABU is expected to closely collaborate with UNESCO-ICHEI and IIOE secretariat by providing strategic guidance and support for the development of IIOE and digital transformation of higher education in various regions.
ABU’s selection as the 2024 IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit was announced during the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) Global Partners Summit held at Shenzhen, China from 7th – 9th December, 2023. The institution now takes over from University Putra Malaysia (UPM) as the IIOE rotating presidency unit for the year 2024.
The IIOE rotating presidency unit plays a crucial role in the governance structure of IIOE and it has been in place since its inception in 2019, rotating annually among partner universities in different regions.
Since the launch of IIOE in 2019, four IIOE partner universities have successfully served as the rotating presidency unit.
These institutions are Ain Shams University, Egypt (2020); University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan (2021); University of Nairobi, Kenya (2022); and Universiti Putra Malaysia (2023).
In his acceptance speech, the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Kabiru Bala, said that ABU was greatly honoured to be offered the opportunity to serve as the IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit for the year 2024.
“It is indeed humbling that you have found Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and myself worthy of undertaking this responsibility.
“We have accepted this challenge with all sense of responsibility and pledge to do our utmost best to move the IIOE forward in 2024.
“We will also strive to onboard more HEIs on the ever-growing IIOE network”, he said.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the emerging digital technologies, AI, and other associated tools are already playing a big role in the digital transformation of higher education teaching, learning, and research.”
Ag. Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Mr. Chris Maiyaki, and African Centre of Excellence National Focal Point Leader and Project Coordinator, National Universities Commission, Dr. Joshua Atah, also attended the three-day summit.
