VIT University strengthens ties with SUZA

The VIT University of Vellore, India and the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) have taken a major step in furthering their ties through the collective signing of two addenda to the Agreements of Cooperation on the Bachelor Programme in Multimedia and Animation and Bachelor Programme in Computer Science.  This event was held at Tunguu Campus on Monday 13th November, 2017.

Dr. Govindasamy Viswanathan, the Founder and Chancellor of VIT University who signed the Agreements on behalf of his university has expressed his institution’s readiness and determination in maintaining concrete relations with SUZA. 

 Prof. Rai and Dr. Viswanathan sign addenda to the Agreements of Cooperation being witnessed by other officials and students.

 Dr. Viswanathan who was accompanied by Dr. C. Vijaykumar, the VIT University Director of International Relations said that the cooperation between the two institutions will benefit students, lecturers and officials of both universities.

 “India and Africa have so much in common and Zanzibar being part of this continent is one of the representatives, so let’s work together, as there are so many things we can benefit from each other if we collaborate,” Dr. Viswanathan insisted.

In his remarks, Prof. Rai emphasised the need for the ties; he said that it is essential for SUZA to highlight its challenges so as to be able to tackle them through collaborative efforts and viable educational programmes. “We have recently merged with other higher learning institutions of Zanzibar, the issue to proud of, so we need to use this partnership in building our capacity so as to improve the quality of education,” he added.

Prof. Rai explained that SUZA in the near future anticipates to introduce the School of Computing, Communications and Media hence to make this possible it expects support from VIT University to make this possible. “SUZA is already very strong in natural sciences and now we look for introducing innovation and entrepreneurship thus we can also extend our partnership in that area,” he informed.

 

During his visit, Dr. Viswanathan also held a Public lecture speaking on 'Higher Education as tool for development of Africa".

The State University of Zanzibar and VIT University on 4th July, 2013 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at establishing partnership on exchange of students, exchange of faculty, i.e. planning and handling of academic programmes and courses, organization of seminars, workshops and conferences including the exchange of mutual experiences in teaching, research and industrial practice. The MoU also sake to cooperate in exchange of research where joint programmes in research and development including exchange of publications and reports will be introduced.

Other area focused by the MoU is exploration of possibilities of joint twinning programmes in interdisciplinary areas of specialization of high relevance to both institutions. In addition to this the MoU intended to create Centres of Excellence in specialized fields of mutual interest in Science, Engineering, Technology, Management and Humanities.

The incident of signing these two addenda is an implementation part of the partnership.

Before leaving Zanzibar on 15th November, 2017 the delegation from VIT University is expected to meet with Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein, the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council also the Chancellor of the State University of Zanzibar.

 

VIT University, also known as Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), formerly known as Vellore Engineering College, is a private university in Tamil Nadu, India. Founded in 1984, as Vellore Engineering College, by Dr. G. Viswanathan, a former parliamentarian and minister in the Tamil Nadu Government.