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Oluchi Chibuzor

The University of Greater Manchester (UoGM) and Talent School of ������Ƶ (TSB) officially inaugurated a new chapter of global collaboration with a high-profile Partnership Signing Ceremony in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

This landmark partnership—formalized through a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)—focuses on academic exchange, joint program development, and research collaboration in business, law, and artificial intelligence (AI).

The initiative is led by President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Greater Manchester ably supported by Dr Greg Walker, Pro Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Celestine Iwendi, Head of UoGM’s Centre of Intelligence of Things (CIoTH), Dr Ike Uhumuavbi, Postgraduate Research and Knowledge Exchange Lead in the UoGM’s School of Law and Mr Effa Etta of Inversion Ltd are part of TSB’s ambitious strategy to internationalize and embed technology-driven education in West Africa.

The partnership forms part of TSB’s ambitious strategy to enhance internationalisation and promote technology-driven education in West Africa.

Speaking at the event, yesterday In Abidjan , Côte d’Ivoire, the UK High Commissioner to Cote I’voire, Ms Catherine Brooker, highlighted the potential of the partnership in deepening academic exchange between both countries.

She praised the long-standing cooperation between the two countries, while highlighting the immense potential of this agreement for the future of students and researchers.

“Education is a key driver of economic growth and intercultural understanding. This partnership will help strengthen ties between our two nations,” she stated.

Commenting on the collaboration, the Vice Chancellor, UoGM, Prof. George Holmes, represented by the Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr. Greg Walker harped on the potential contribution of UoGM to this partnership.

On his side, Director of CIoTh at UoGM, Iwendi, while highlighting the plan of action, said Africa must embrace digitalisation to create entrepreneurs.

According to him, “This will be the first British presence in Cote d’Ivoire University. And like the ambassador said, it’s not just giving people a British school experience, it is changing their lifetime. I’m also an African and we are the best in the world.

“As Professor of Artificial Intelligence, we want our people to learn about AI, about the Internet of Things, or what I call Intelligence of Things, IoT. We want our people to be entrepreneurial, productive. Africa is too rich. Our problem is our mentality. So if we can learn AI to be critical thinkers, we can change, we can rule the world.

“We don’t need aid from any foreign country. We have everything we need. But we must first believe in ourselves. We must apply intelligence, digital communication, especially using AI in the industry. So Talent ������Ƶ School, we are establishing our center in this Talent ������Ƶ School. We are partnering with them, it is not just about having a job. It is creating a job and making sure we are entrepreneurs.”

Speaking also, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Talent School of ������Ƶ, Mr Mehdi Zarrouk, in capturing the strategic vision of TSB, said the partnership will be timely for the continent.

Notable people at the event are Founder, Inversion Limited, Mr. Effa Ettah; UK Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Ms. Catherine Brooker and the Ambassador of Tunisia to Côte d’Ivoire, Zier SaadaouI; Acting Head of Nigeria Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire, Mrs Ira Wika; Chair of the British Chamber of Commerce in Côte d’Ivoire, Mr Amol N’Gattia and the Deputy Director of TSB, Dr Imen Amor.

Accordingly, the partnership will see the launch of joint degree programmes integrating disciplines of business, law, and AI, establishing research hubs dedicated to emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT).

Others are facilitating faculty and student exchange programmes, developing executive education offerings, planning future expansions into double degrees and practical learning pathways and establishing a Centre for AI and IoT- A hub for West Africa digital development.

As emphasized in the strategic vision presented at the event, this collaboration aims to position UoGM and TSB as influential leaders in applied research, innovation, and education closely aligned with industry needs. With Côte d’Ivoire’s educational landscape rapidly evolving, this partnership lays a solid foundation for broad, sustainable impact across Africa and beyond.