In a bid to foster collaboration and enhance synergies in the realm of education and technology, a 6-member committee from the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), has recently embarked on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja.

The team, spearheaded by the NILES Director-General, Professor Mohammed Yakubu,  was received by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Peters, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Butswat.

Expressing his delight at the prospect of collaboration, Professor Butswat emphasised the importance of such partnerships in fostering growth and innovation.

"We are pleased that NILEST is identifying with us and seeking to understand our operations. Collaboration is key to progress, and we believe this partnership will yield significant benefits, particularly in the realm of manufacturing quality leather products, such as shoes and belts, thereby empowering individuals financially," Butswat said.

In response, Professor Yakubu reiterated the committee's purpose for the visit, emphasising the institute's commitment to seeking collaborative opportunities to advance its objectives, particularly in the context of its nascent distance learning programme.

The director-general said "Our goal is to extend our educational programmes across Nigeria, leveraging practical and hands-on training methodologies. With limited capacity at our headquarters, collaboration with institutions like NOUN becomes imperative for our expansion."

Earlier, Director, Regional Training and Research Institute for Distance and Open Learning (RETRIDOL), Professor Christine Ofulue, who introduced the committee to the DVC, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration.

Ofulue added that "We are excited about the potential of this partnership and look forward to exchanging knowledge and expertise. Our team is prepared to showcase our facilities and engage in fruitful discussions."

As part of the visit, the delegation was scheduled to tour various facilities, including the Directorate of Learning Content Management Systems, NOUN Press, and  Wuse II Study Centre, to gain insights into NOUN's operational framework and explore potential areas of collaboration.

The tour underscored the practical aspect of the partnership, allowing for firsthand experiences and interactions.

It is expected that the collaborative efforts between NILEST and NOUN will signify a significant step towards harnessing the collective expertise and resources to advance technological innovations, particularly in the domain of leather technology.

NOUN News reports that such partnerships hold the promise of not only enhancing educational offerings but also contributing to socio-economic development by empowering individuals through skill development and entrepreneurship opportunities.