•UTD berths in Nigeria
By Tofunmi David
President, University of Texas at Dallas(UTD) Richard Benson has said the school is committed to producing top class and well grounded students in a constantly changing world.
He spoke at the launch of the UTD office in Ilupeju, Lagos, last week. The event was attended by several eminent Nigerians and Americans, such as the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, the US Consul General in Nigeria, Will Stevens, MD Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman, among others.
He said: “UT Dallas is a top-tier research university that attracts students and faculty around the globe. During the 2023-2024 academic year, about one in every five students who enrolled came from countries other than the United States. We have made a concerted effort to provide an education open to students from around the world. It is committed to graduating well-rounded members of the global community, prepared for rewarding lives and productive careers in a constantly changing world.”
Benson highlighted the personalised educational experience at UTD, where students excel in diverse fields such as math, poetry, business, orchestra, biology, and athletics.
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“Every square inch of our campus is a learning space. Our significant growth over the last decade means students study in some of the nation’s newest classrooms and most modern laboratories. These buildings symbolise our focus on providing the best education possible,” he added.
This is just as Cavista Holdings, a leading conglomerate in Nigeria, partnered with UTD to establish a liaison office in Lagos. This initiative aims to support African students aspiring to study abroad by streamlining the admission process and providing access to quality education.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. John Olajide, Chairman of the firm and host of the event, emphasised the main objective of the office: to facilitate access to quality education for Nigerians by simplifying the admission process to UTD. Olajide, an alumnus of UTD, highlighted the university’s significant role in his educational journey and professional success.
Reflecting on his career, Olajide acknowledged UTD’s pivotal role in shaping his success in healthcare technology and various industries in Nigeria, including technology, agriculture, and hospitality.
Olajide noted that the decision to partner with UTD was driven by the need to develop a pipeline of talent that will contribute to Nigeria’s future. He expressed confidence that attracting Nigeria and Africa’s brightest young minds to UTD would enhance the university’s reputation, already recognised as one of the top engineering schools in the United States.
John Gonzalez, the team lead from the UTD explained that the office aims to create a hub for collaboration among scholars and researchers from UTD and Nigeria.
“We are excited about the opportunities this office will create for Nigerians and Africans in general. It will harness the abundant talents of youths for development in Nigeria,” he said.
Provost of UTD, Inga Musselman, highlighted the institution’s diverse academic programmes, which include bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees across seven faculties.
“Our schools of humanities, technology, and art offer a combination of STEM-focused learning,” Musselman said.
Speaking after the launch, Mr. Will Stevens, United States Consul General in Nigeria, described the establishment of the office as a natural progression in the relationship between the USA and Nigeria. He noted that increased study opportunities in the US would lead to enhanced knowledge exchange, benefiting research institutions, businesses, and investors in both countries.