The Vice-Chancellor of Coal City University, Professor Afam Icha-Ituma, and the President of Delaware State University (DSU) Professor Tony Allen signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on October 15, 2020 for the two institutions to formally collaborate on education, research and cultural engagement. The international partnership agreement represents a landmark achievement for Coal City University’s internationalization project and a milestone in global partnership development for Delaware State University.

The signing of the agreement which took place at the Delaware State University was witnessed by Sir Chinedu Ani, the Chancellor of Coal City University; Professor Chidi Onyia, the Chairman of CCU Strategic Advisory Board; Antonio Boyle, DSU Vice-President for Strategic Enrolment Management; Dr Saundra F. DeLauder, DSU Provost and Chief Academic Officer; Dr. Fengshan Liu, Associate Vice President for International Affairs; and Dr Emeka Morah, a Higher Education Consultant.

According to the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Afam Icha-Ituma, the MoU provides for an international pathway program which will enable qualified Coal City University students to study and earn undergraduate degrees from Coal City University and Delaware State University respectively within a joint programme duration.

He added: “I am absolutely delighted about the signing of the joint Memorandum of Understanding between Coal City University and Delaware State University that affords CCU students an excellent opportunity to gain a broader and more developed range of skills and to also obtain a degree from Delaware State University. This is a great partnership between our two Universities to deliver high quality, practical, modern education for the Nigerian youths.

With this partnership, CCU academic programmes will be delivered with the same teaching and evaluation standards as in Delaware State University by staff either seconded from DSU or appointed internationally to DSU standards. The partnership will enable CCU and DSU to turnout international standard graduates”.

Students to benefit from two streams of optional international pathway programs

The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that the Delaware State University collaboration will feature in two streams to afford interested students the platform to enroll in the international pathway programs.

The first stream requires scholars from Delaware State University physically present to handle courses along with resident faculty at Coal City University. The programs earmarked to benefit from this pilot arrangement include: Business administration, Economics and Computer science, while other courses will be added in due course.

Similarly, the second stream will have both universities engage in twinning program whereby interested CCU students who have successfully completed their second year in designated programs can transfer their studies to DSU to do additional two years for the award of DSU bachelor’s degree. The relevant programs are: Accounting, Business Administration, Economics,History & Diplomatic Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Mass Communication, Nursing and Aviation. Students interested in Aviation program and nursing program will do a foundation year at Coal City University and 3 years at Delaware State University for the bachelor’s degree.

Commenting on the collaboration, Prof. Tony Allen, President of Delaware State University says: “I couldn’t be more excited that we will be partnering with Coal City University, Enugu, Nigeria. We had the opportunity to meet with your Chancellor and your Vice-Chancellor. They are amazing people and I know they are just a small representation of that wonderful institution of yours. At Delaware State University, we call ourselves a family, and we could not be more proud than to be welcoming you into our family today. Your spirit, your intellect, your energy, and your vision for the future match ours.”

Reflecting on the collaboration, the chancellor of Coal City University, Sir Chinedu Ani, noted that “the partnership will give CCU curriculum an international perspective and will provide enhanced education experience for CCU students. I believe that with the international pathway programmes, we will internationalize the learning experience for our students while keeping them connected to African humanistic and cultural foundations”.

Coal City University aims to provide quality education of international standards comparable to what is obtainable in top universities across the globe, at a significantly lower cost than what it costs to study abroad. The University is particularly committed to providing a stimulating, supportive and personal learning environment that helps students grow as individuals and ensures all students get the right opportunity to reach their full potential.