Activities
Academic Linkages
Since its establishment, the IOL has been involved in a series of activities aimed at actualizing the mandate it was given. Some of these activities have involved seeking for areas of Collaboration and Linkages with Universities and academic centers of learning generally for the purpose of conducting joint research and publication; graduate studies training; joint international conferencing and many other academic and administrative contacts. In specific terms the international office and linkages has sought for and received research fellowships for academic staff. The most prominent of these is the Fulbright fellowship in which we have at least nine academic staff who have participated. In addition, there is one recipient of the DAAD-German Academic Exchange Service Fellowship who is currently in Germany for a two year research work. Many other academic staff from Covenant University has spent short or long term periods in India, China, Switzerland, South Africa, Ghana and the United Kingdom.
List of Partnered Institutions
| S/N | Collaborating Institution | Take-off Year | What We Have Done So Far |
| 1. | Fayetteville State University, (FSU) USA | 2009 | We have engaged in faculty and student exchange programs. Faculty members from CU have also gone to FSU to share their research outcomes, present seminar papers. |
| 2. | The United Nations Habitat program (UNHABITAT), Nairobi, Kenya | 2011 | We used this platform to launch to Global Report on Human Settlement which gave us global visibility. We have also commenced an internship program for both staff and students of the University. Both parties also agreed to consult for each other in areas of expertise. |
| 3. | University of Westminster, UK | 2009 | There is an opportunity for partial scholarship for young academics to pursue Masters programme as well as run a joint Masters’ Degree programme and earned dual degrees. |
| 4. | The School of Business, University of Ghana | 2010 | Beyond getting an MOU in place, nothing else has been done. |
| 5. | McKinsey and Company, South Africa | 2009 | The company has continued to conduct recruitment interviews and subsequent employment of graduates of CU. |
| 6 | Unilever (Nig) Plc | 2007 | The company has continued to conduct recruitment interviews and subsequent employment of graduates of CU. They also take our students for Industrial Attachment, SIWES etc. CU is also one institution where the company has been giving back in terms of CSR. Last year, we brought their top Managers to teach students in relevant Departments about real business situations and case studies. The company also facilitates us getting Case Study materials to research with for active researchers in the academia from our base here. |
| 7 | E-transact Nig Plc | E-transact has remained the University’s ICT partner for a very long time. Most of our external payment platforms were facilitated on the e-transact platform until recently. | |
| 8 | Southern University, Baton Rouge, USA | 2009 | We have faculty from Southern University as Visiting Professors in CU and vice versa. The University also gladly hosts our Fulbright winners and helps to facilitate the application process. We are also on course to send students there for Summer Exchange programs. |
| 9 | East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA | 2012 | We are basically collaborating with this University to deliver the Global Understanding Project – a virtual classroom experience for both our faculty and students. The platform also links us to about 45 other Universities in the world. So far, our students and the faculty members have been enjoying the experience of being in a global classroom with other Universities across the world. |
| 9 | Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), USA | 2012 | Details on how to drive faculty and students exchange, joint collaborative projects, joint research projects, visiting professorship and visiting scholar programs are still being worked at the relevant Departments area. The MOU focuses: (1) Advanced standing arrangements, subject to approval and under the umbrella of the appropriate Agreement, in conformity with the institutional policies in place; (2) Easy access to both Universities students, especially graduating class for postgraduate admission; (3) Exchange of faculty and/or staff, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (4) Joint research activities and publications, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (5) Participating in seminars and academic meetings, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (6) Special short-term academic programmes, with prior approval from each institution’s respective authorities; (7) Exchange of graduate and/or undergraduate students, under the umbrella of a Student Exchange Agreement; (8) Exchange of academic and scientific materials. (9) Organization of Taster programme |
| 10 | TAVISTOC Institute of Human Relations, London, United Kingdom | 2012 | Currently, both institutions are developing jointly funded and IGR potential programs to drive the implementation of the MOU. Meanwhile, two faculty members have been appointed by the Institute as Visiting Scientist. |
| 11 | University of Huddersfield, UK | 2012 | Still developing programs to drive the MOU. The MOU focuses on: (1) Advanced standing arrangements, subject to approval and under the umbrella of the appropriate Agreement, in conformity with the institutional policies in place; (2) Easy access to both Universities students, especially graduating class for postgraduate admission; (3) Exchange of faculty and/or staff, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (4) Joint research activities and publications, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (5) Participating in seminars and academic meetings, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (6) Special short-term academic programmes, with prior approval from each institution’s respective authorities; (7) Exchange of graduate and/or undergraduate students, under the umbrella of a Student Exchange Agreement; (8) Exchange of academic and scientific materials. (9) Organization of Taster programme |
| University of Portsmouth, UK | The relationship focuses on the following: (1) Advanced standing arrangements, subject to approval and under the umbrella of the appropriate Agreement, in conformity with the institutional policies in place; (2) Easy access to both Universities students, especially graduating class for postgraduate admission; (3) Exchange of faculty and/or staff, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (4) Joint research activities and publications, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (5) Participating in seminars and academic meetings, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (6) Special short-term academic programmes, with prior approval from each institution’s respective authorities; (7) Exchange of graduate and/or undergraduate students, under the umbrella of a Student Exchange Agreement; (8) Exchange of academic and scientific materials. (9) Organization of Taster programme We have been able to drive staff exchange with the appointment of a Visiting Scholar from CU to Portsmouth for a 6months academic experience at Portsmouth. | ||
| 12 | Moscow Technical University of Communication and Informatics, Russia Federation | 2012 | The School of Engineering is driving this MOU through the Faculty Liaison Officer who also facilitated the signing of the MOU and the relationship. |
| 13 | North West University, South Africa | This MOU focus on staff and student exchange programs and joint collaborative researches etc. Currently, a Visiting Professor from the University periodically visits CU for academic purposes. | |
| 14 | SAP University Alliances and SAP Education, South Africa | 2012 | We are currently running a joint SAP certified Masters program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. |
| 15 | The Wennovation Hub, Nigeria (and UK) | 2012 | This implementation is phased to commence this academic session. |
| 16 | University of Roehampton London, UK | 2012 | The MOU focuses on the following: (1) Advanced standing arrangements, subject to approval and under the umbrella of the appropriate Agreement, in conformity with the institutional policies in place; (2) Easy access to both Universities students, especially graduating class for postgraduate admission; (3) Exchange of faculty and/or staff, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (4) Joint research activities and publications, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (5) Participating in seminars and academic meetings, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (6) Special short-term academic programmes, with prior approval from each institution’s respective authorities; (7) Exchange of graduate and/or undergraduate students, under the umbrella of a Student Exchange Agreement; (8) Exchange of academic and scientific materials. (9) Organization of Taster programme |
| 17 | Birmingham City University, UK | 2012 | The MOU focuses on the following: (1) Advanced standing arrangements, subject to approval and under the umbrella of the appropriate Agreement, in conformity with the institutional policies in place; (2) Easy access to both Universities students, especially graduating class for postgraduate admission; (3) Exchange of faculty and/or staff, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (4) Joint research activities and publications, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (5) Participating in seminars and academic meetings, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (6) Special short-term academic programmes, with prior approval from each institution’s respective authorities; (7) Exchange of graduate and/or undergraduate students, under the umbrella of a Student Exchange Agreement; (8) Exchange of academic and scientific materials. (9) Organization of Taster programme |
| 18 | Griffith College, Dublin, Ireland | 2012 | The MOU focuses on the following: (1) Advanced standing arrangements, subject to approval and under the umbrella of the appropriate Agreement, in conformity with the institutional policies in place; (2) Easy access to both Universities students, especially graduating class for postgraduate admission; (3) Exchange of faculty and/or staff, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (4) Joint research activities and publications, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (5) Participating in seminars and academic meetings, subject to financial approval or financing from an external granting agency; (6) Special short-term academic programmes, with prior approval from each institution’s respective authorities; (7) Exchange of graduate and/or undergraduate students, under the umbrella of a Student Exchange Agreement; (8) Exchange of academic and scientific materials. Organization of Taster programme |
| 19 | Estate Master Pty Limited (“Estate Master”) Sydney, Australia | 2012 | The Department of Estate Management is currently driving this MOU. |
| 20 | Central Michigan University, USA | Forthcoming | Still working details that will drive an MOU |
| 21 | Ithaca College, USA | 2011 | The Department of International Relations is currently running a Classroom without Borders project with this University based in the US |
| 22 | Bowie State University, USA | Forthcoming | Still working details that will drive an MOU |
| 23 | TASMAC London School of Business, UK | Forthcoming | Still working details that will drive an MOU |
| 24 | Lancaster University, UK | Forthcoming | Still working details that will drive an MOU, A team from this University will be visiting Covenant University in February 8, 2013 |
| 25 | Cardiff University, UK | Forthcoming | Still working details that will drive an MOU |
| 26 | London Metropolitan University | Forthcoming | Still working details that will drive an MOU |
| 27 | University of Durham | Forthcoming | Still working details that will drive an MOU |
| 28 | Brunel University, UK | Forthcoming | Still working details that will drive an MOU |
| 29 | University of Salento, Italy | Forthcoming | MOU approved but yet to be signed. |
| 30 | Coventry University, UK | Forthcoming | Still working details that will drive an MOU |
| 31 | Huawei Technologies | 2011 | MOU ready to be signed |
| 32. | University of the West of England, Bristol | May 3 2013 | MOU already signed |
Contact with Diplomatic Community
Second, the international Office and Linkages maintains useful and bilateral relations with Embassies and Foreign Missions in Nigeria.
Foreign Faculty and Students
The international office creates conducive atmosphere for foreign faculty and students’ resident in Covenant University. One of the ways it has done this is to immerse foreign faculty into the Nigerian cultural context. To this end, the international office organizes regular tourist trips to notable tourist centres in Nigeria for the international staff and students.
Others
The International Office and Linkages has facilitated a lot of linkage and collaborative talks between Covenant University and 41 foreign universities and corporate bodies.
Activities of International Students on Arriving the University Campus for Resumption Protocols
Immediately the international students arrive Lagos/Ota and have had a chance to recover from the jet lag, they will be put through some resumption protocols prepared to give them the best of time in Covenant University. The following is a general list of things done to help them organize their first few days in Nigeria, especially until they attend a general International Students Orientation. By this time, it is expected that the students would have read the Pre-Arrival Checklist designed to assist them with travel to Nigeria.
Upon arrival, each international student is expected to do the following:
Reporting to the International Students’ Office with all travel documents for clearances of non-immigrant eligibility and safety deposit.
Housing
The University operates a residential system that offers accommodation services to all students; hence the International Student will be no exception. Put differently, housing is automatic for every bona fide “CU” student.
Opening a Bank Account
It is unwise to carry large amounts of cash. The ISO will assist the students with information about how to open an account with the Covenant University Microfinance Bank and provide a letter of introduction for each person to present when opening an account.
Meeting Academic or Faculty Advisor
In order to register for courses, it is required that students first meet with an Academic or Faculty Adviser. In some special (exchange) cases, the ISO will assist the students in choosing relevant combination of courses to meet the requirements of that exchange status.
Obtaining a Portal User ID
In addition to meeting with Academic or Faculty Adviser, students will also need to get user ID and password in order to log into the Covenant University Portal. The web portal gives students access to registering for courses, updating addresses, viewing course schedule, updating lectures and viewing tuition account information. The ISO will arrange with the Center for Systems and Information Services (CSIS) for training session during new student orientation on how to update their addresses and other contact information in the system.
Obtaining a Covenant University Student ID Card
Once registration is completed, students will be issued a University ID card. The student ID card gives access to virtually everywhere on campus, including computer labs, the libraries and allows students to use the printers and copiers, to the examination halls, to obtain exeat permits, for research outside the campus, and in some cases special University functions. It is pertinent to note that the ID card is like the students “social security” document, and is therefore hung around the neck and carefully kept all the time.
Attendance of Classes
After meeting with Academic or Faculty Adviser, obtaining Portal user ID and password, students will be ready to attend classes.
Student Involvement
The international students will be encouraged by the ISO to participate in social, cultural and spiritual events of the many recognized student organizations on campus. There are several clubs including academic, social, cultural and spiritual organizations, such as the Student Council, Covenant University Revolutionary Squad, Tour Guides, Drama Club, Project One Million, Reflections, The Orators Club, Literary and Debating Society, etc. Membership of all these organizations will be open to foreign students who wish to be involved.
Strategies and Orientation to Create an Environment of Inclusion
Overseas students are socially integrated within their new cultural context in the following ways:
Overseas students are socially integrated within their new cultural context in the following ways:
- Pairing each international student with a Nigerian student and/or an older C.U. student in the halls of residence.
- Hosting of the students during some weekends by families from among Faculty, Staff and Pastors.
- Taking the students on courtesy visit to the Management, Deans and their respective HODs.
- Conducting a special orientation on the University core values, dos and don’ts.
- Identifying talents among them in certain areas like soccer, athletics, other sports, debating, drama, etc., to represent the University.
- Encouraging each international student to join at least one of the registered student organizations. Involving CU compliant international students in the Student Council. Conducting detailed campus, chapel, library, hall, clinic, cultural and language orientation for them, through guided tours, and by formal and informal means.