The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has held talks with the leadership of Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU), Pennsylvania, United States, on developing Transnational Education (TNE) partnerships to strengthen practical Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Nigerian universities.
The engagement, ahead of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 81), formed part of Alausa’s efforts to link Nigeria’s higher education system with international expertise and innovative approaches capable of equipping students with practical and technical skills for the changing global economy.
According to a statement by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Ikharo Attah, Alausa led a delegation to the university, where they toured its hands-on STEM laboratories and applied learning facilities.
The delegation also met the President of Harrisburg University, Dr Christopher M. Reber, and other senior officials.
During the tour, students demonstrated practical applications of their training in advanced manufacturing and robotics, cybersecurity, data analytics, biotechnology, health sciences and interactive media.
Alausa said the demonstrations offered the delegation an insight into an education model that combines classroom teaching with experimentation, research, technology and problem-solving.
He said such an approach enables students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges.
The minister highlighted the Federal Ministry of Education’s focus on TNE as a means of establishing structured academic and institutional partnerships between Nigerian universities and reputable international institutions.
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Through the National Universities Commission (NUC), Nigeria has established a TNE framework covering joint, twinning and articulation programmes, branch campuses, online and blended learning, franchised programmes, joint academic and research initiatives, as well as faculty and student exchanges.
Alausa stressed that TNE should go beyond providing access to foreign qualifications, noting that properly structured cross-border education could promote knowledge exchange, research and innovation, faculty development, technology transfer and stronger university-industry links.
He identified artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, robotics, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology and health sciences among areas with potential to strengthen practical training and research in Nigerian universities.
According to him, partnerships in these fields could improve laboratory-based learning, build faculty capacity, expand research opportunities and produce graduates with skills that meet industry requirements and the demands of the digital economy.
Alausa also interacted with Nigerian and other African students at Harrisburg University, stressing the importance of sustaining academic and cultural ties between African students and institutions on the continent.
The engagement also reflected the theme of the African Cultural Festival (ACF) 2026, “The Great Reunion: Culture, Education, and Collaboration”, which promotes education, cultural exchange and shared learning as tools for strengthening ties among Africans.
Those present included Harrisburg University’s Chief Strategy Officer, Mr David Clickner; Department Chair, Manufacturing Systems, Dr Richard Pitts Jr.; Executive Director, Strategic Healthcare Initiative, Dr Luanne Reese Hutchinson; Mr Wole Adeniyi of the African Cultural Festival; and Nigerian and other African students.
The ministry said the visit reinforced its commitment to ensuring that international academic partnerships produce practical benefits for Nigerian students and universities, particularly in skills development, research, innovation and technology.
Alausa said the ministry would, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, continue to pursue education reforms and strategic international partnerships that place skills development and innovation at the centre of national development.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to equipping Nigerian students with the knowledge, practical competencies and technological skills needed to drive innovation, support economic growth and compete in the global knowledge economy.
