Nigeria’s first Institute of Advanced Studies to commence operation this month at the Obafemi Awolowo University

     Nigeria’s first Institute of Advanced Studies, IAS, will commence operation this month at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, in Osun State.

     Professor Jacob Olupona, who is championing the institute, is a professor of African Religious Traditions, Harvard Divinity School, and Professor of African and African American Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, also of Harvard University.
    Speaking on the programme of the institution, he said, the IAS will offer Post-Doctoral programmes that will provide a new generation of scholars with the skills and resources necessary to effectively respond to the pressing demands of the rapidly changing higher educational system.

    According to him, IAS will train its Fellows to become excellent university teachers, researchers, scholars, and public policy analysts who will effectively engage discussions on the challenges confronting our contemporary society in a globalized world, through a rigorous curriculum and with the dedicated support of distinguished scholars from leading African and Western universities,

   He noted that the major focus of this pioneering institute is mentorship within the academic community.