North-Eastern University, Gombe, has expanded its international reach by signing two academic partnerships with the University of Malaya and the University of Technology Malaysia — two of Asia’s top-ranking institutions.
The agreements were finalised during NEU’s official visit to Malaysia, led by the institution’s founder and Pro-Chancellor, Dr Sani Jauro, alongside the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr Sani Isyaka.
According to a statement signed on Wednesday by Mukhtar Sani Saulawa, the Assistant Information Officer of the university, the collaborations aim to deepen academic, research, and technological cooperation between NEU and the two Malaysian universities.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dr Jauro described the partnerships as major steps toward realising NEU’s global vision.
“These partnerships reflect our vision of becoming a nexus for development — a university that combines academic excellence, innovation, and global collaboration to produce graduates equipped for 21st-century challenges,” he said.
Arewa PUNCH’s findings indicated that one of the key components of the collaboration is the student exchange programme, which will allow NEU students to study in Malaysia and experience world-class academic and cultural environments.
Under the semester-based model, qualified students will participate in short-term or long-term immersion programmes, with credits earned abroad fully transferable under a joint academic framework.
The statement noted that the initiative will give NEU students access to cutting-edge research facilities, global networks, and internationally standardised learning experiences.
“This programme will open global doors for our students, giving them the opportunity to study at some of the best universities in Asia while earning credits that strengthen their academic profiles,” Dr Jauro said.
Beyond student mobility, the partnership will also promote staff exchange, joint research, and innovation projects.
Under this arrangement, lecturers and researchers from NEU and their Malaysian counterparts will co-teach courses, conduct seminars, share teaching methods, and collaborate on research publications and grant applications.
The universities will also have access to shared digital resources such as libraries, e-learning platforms, and laboratory databases.
“This collaboration will expand the boundaries of knowledge and promote technology-driven education,” Dr. Jauro added.
He continued, “We are not just building academic bridges. We are connecting continents through shared research, mutual respect, and sustainable development.”
Officials from both the University of Malaya and University of Technology Malaysia commended NEU’s commitment to international collaboration, describing it as a forward-thinking approach to advancing education in Africa.
With these new partnerships, NEU joins a select group of Nigerian universities with multiple active international linkages. The institution already maintains collaborations with the University of Surrey (UK), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK), Misr University of Science and Technology (Egypt), Pharos University (Egypt), and the Tiger Eye Foundation (Ghana).
“Our partnerships with leading institutions across the world are proof of NEU’s unwavering dedication to building a globally competitive learning environment rooted in innovation, ethics, and excellence,” Dr Jauro pointed out.
