TheCable

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) says it is improving facilities in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to attract international faculties and students.

The organisation said the measures are part of ongoing efforts to internationalise Nigerian institutions.

Sonny Echono, executive secretary of TETFund, said this while receiving a delegation of the UK government on international education in Abuja on Monday.

He said priority will be given to UK institutions to foster linkages and partnerships.

Echono stated that the collaboration with UK institutions will focus on skills development for Nigerian institutions.

He added that the fund is currently ranking its 253 beneficiary institutions, using parameters such as how many multidisciplinary research they have been able to undertake and their degree of internationalisation, among others.

“Over the years, TETFund has sponsored several students to UK universities. We have MoUs with some UK universities and want to expand that to other aspects,” the TETFund boss said.

He added that the fund wants to ensure that tertiary institutions in Nigeria are much more competitive globally and their graduates internationally recognised.

Echono said part of the partnership with UK institutions is to ensure that TETFund-sponsored scholars return to the tertiary education system in Nigeria to render their much-needed services.

“The government has invested heavily in the education of these scholars, and it is disheartening to see many of them choose to stay abroad after their studies,” he said.

“Our goal is to foster collaboration with British universities to create a mechanism that encourages the return of these scholars to Nigeria.”