Date: 2018-03-09

AUTHORITY of the University of Ilorin is collaborating with the Gallaudet University, Washington D.C in the training and exchange of instructors to improve education for deaf students.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Sulyman Age Abdul-Kareem, said this on Thursday while receiving a team of specialized deaf instructors from Gallaudet University in his office.

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Professor Sidikat Ijaiya, the Vice Chancellor, said the University is at the process of employing more signals to interpret and train the deaf students.

Professor Abdul-Kareem stated that the University had produced Medical Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Councilors and other professionals through the Centre for Supportive Services for the Deaf.

He applauded the Federal government for establishing the Centre at the Institution and charged the deaf students to utilize the opportunity of the collaboration with Gallaudet University.

Earlier, the leader of the Team, who is the Dean, School of Education, Business and Human Services, Professor Khadijat Rasheed said the Gallaudet University was established in eighteen sixty-four by the United States Government to specifically train deaf students.

Professor Rasheed explained that the University has a population of two thousand students with Professors, Teachers and Instructors, teaching the students in sign language.

According to her, the Institution started from elementary level to the University to be able to train the deaf students effectively by catching them at their early stage.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Wesley University, Ondo State, Sir Demola Aladekomo, represented by Sir Peter Olorunfemi, said the team had met with Governor Ibikunle Amosun and intends to meet Vice President Yemi Osinbajo next week on the mission of the delegation.

Sir Aladekomo said the University decided to establish the American University in African and picked Nigeria among other two selected countries, Ghana and South Africa, considering the influx of Africans to Gallaudet University for deaf education, stressing that the University would start to provide deaf education for the people of Africa and the Institution would take off this year.

Responding, the President of the Deaf Students Association, Abubakar Ismail, thanked the Management of the University of Ilorin and Gallaudet University for the collaboration, saying that the synergy would assist the students in providing job opportunities.