How UK Universities Plan To Partner Nigerian Counterparts

Do you want to increase your understanding of other cultures, as well as improve your language skills or even broaden your educational and social horizons?

Is UK still your choice country for studies? 

Well, Nigerian Born and UK based Ralueke Parking was told UK is no longer a popular destination for Nigerians to study unlike before.  And so, she took up the challenge, to promote a more positive and balanced view of Africa to young people, to encourage them to further their studies and to prepare them for the multicultural and Multiracial community live at school and beyond school.

 Ralueke Parkin is the Executive Director of Insight Africa UK and Nigeria.

This was stated at the launch of INSIGHT AFRICA UK in Abuja Nigeria exactly one month ago. Ralueke returned to her country of birth and with support from the British High Commission, announced the urgent need for a new narrative, one in which there will be more collaboration between the Nigerian and UK Education sector and other interested sectors; forging partnerships that are mutually beneficial.

The launch of Insight Africa UK took place on the 4th of October at the British Residence in Abuja where the Deputy High Commissioner, Simon Shercliff gave the opening remarks followed by an address from Mrs Ralueke Parkin and other keynote speakers.

During her opening speech, she queried why people from those other countries come directly to the UK to gain knowledge and experience, and so, Nigerian should stay focused and go directly to the UK as well and gain  the first hand knowledge.

 Ms Parking went on to say "One of the Universities I partner with is keen to partner with a Nigerian University in the area of Healthcare. They want to find an institution that would like to partner with them to set up a Nursing Department where the Students graduate with dual certificates: One from the Nigerian Institution to ensure they can practice in Nigeria, and the other an accredited Certificate from the UK University which would also gain them a UK accredited Certificate right here in Nigeria. They can chose to attend graduation in the UK to receive their certificates or in Nigeria or both".

"We also have another University looking to collaborate with the Education Sector in Nigeria to offer Study Abroad programmes. The Study Abroad programme allows students taking an undergraduate degree in Nigeria to spend a semester, or a year at a UK University, studying like a regular UK undergraduate, and at the end of their studies take credits/a transcript back to their local institution to complete their studies in Nigeria”, she said.

Hon. chris Azubogu of National assembly promised to  take word back to the law makers to look at making policies that will help in creating an enabling environment for UK in Nigeria.

On his part, Ibrahim Suleiman from the  Office of the Snr Special Asst. to the President on Youth and Student Affairs said he was happy to be part of the programme and would be working on promoting entrepreneurship Skills, capacity building and job creation.

There were members of the civil society, other Organizations and the media.

Ms Parking studied at Federal Government Girls College Gboko Benue State then moved on to study Dramatic Arts at the University of Nigeria, worked in Nigeria before proceeding to obtain a master's degree in Theatre and development studies, from Leeds University. This further fuelled Ralueke's passion for young people and making positive changes in the society.

Ralueke has delivered and facilitated several workshops in various schools in the UK. As part of her desire to help achieve the UN development goals, Insight Africa UK was born to help promote education, business development and multicultural interaction between the UK, Africa and the world at large. She is married with two children

So Why Would you not have a first hand education?