By Boris Esono Nwenfor
The renowned technological institution in Cameroon, the ICT University, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with Anderson University, a private Christian University in Anderson, South Carolina, to enhance its educational programs.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Professor Victor Mbarika and Anderson University Provost, Dr Ryan Neal is expected to open doors for the two institutions to explore collaboration in programs of study and research, among other areas.
Professor Mbarika said that Anderson University and ICT University have much in common: they are both members of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; also, they were both built on the foundation of Christian faith and biblical teaching. That said, both teams discussed the possibility of exploring evangelical outreaches in Cameroon through education.
Professor Mbarika highlighted the major areas of cooperation: mentoring, exchange of students, exchange of faculty and/or staff, professional development, and training, joint research activities and sharing of online library resources.
Dr Gilbert Eyabi, Interim Dean of the Anderson University College of Engineering and Professor of Mathematics said: “I believe the MOU between our two universities will be mutually beneficial.”
“A good number of the programs offered at ICT university have direct equivalencies with our programs in the College of Engineering, College of Business and Center for Cybersecurity. I can’t wait to be a part of a Study Abroad program that takes our students to ICT University in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and expose them to some of the programs they have like robotics, CISCO, nanosatellites, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and renewable energy, just to name a few.”
The ICT University Cameroon, it should be said operates a purely US-based curriculum to provide quality ICT and Managerial Human Capacity Development specially targeted for Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia. The ICT University is a vibrant institution which aims at imposing itself as the premier destination for research, innovation and training of scholars relevant to the context of developing economies.
Ann-Margaret J Themistocleus, Director of the Center for Global Engagement at Anderson University said: “Anderson University’s strategic plan includes internationalization and expanding our global reach. We look for academic excellence in our global partners, but we also try to partner with universities that also share our Christian values, mission and purpose. These similarities create a strong foundation for a fruitful partnership to develop.”
“Among numerous research and grant possibilities that this partnership will allow, we are also exploring the possibility of a summer study abroad program which would be led by Anderson University faculty in Cameroon. To support such efforts, the Center for Global Engagement and the College of Engineering will be submitting a joint grant proposal to the U.S. Department of State IDEAS program (Increase & Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students) to obtain funding to support international travel for students and faculty to visit ICT University for mutual exchange. The partnership with ICT University will also support additional international efforts like letters of affiliation for faculty and student’s Fulbright applications.”
Serving more than 15,000 students worldwide via on-site and online programs, the ICT University develops productive and relevant Diploma, Bachelor, Master and Doctoral level scholars to utilize their research and training in solving the substantial problems in their countries.
With a plethora of programs at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels, including diploma and certification programs, the ICT University offers a dynamic and flexible learning environment that inspires innovation and creativity and places emphasis on student access.
About the ICT University
The ICT University Cameroon is a private institution based in Yaounde, which provides learning in the fields of ICT, renewable energies, telecommunications management, educational sciences and the development of managerial capacities specially targeted for Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia. It also has a French-speaking section in Cameroon.
ICT University started in 2010 and it currently serves more than 15, 000 students on-site and online. The University develops productive and relevant Diploma, Bachelor, Master and Doctoral level scholars to utilize their research and training in solving the substantial problems in their countries.
The ICT University Foundation is registered and chartered in the USA. It is the funding organ of all ICT University campuses. It also funds donations of ICT equipment, E-Learning laboratories and E-Libraries for many universities in Africa. The headquarter of African campuses is in Cameroon and the ICT University campus was accredited by Cameroon’s Ministry of Higher Education in 2012.
