Internationalisation

Meet the University of Glasgow academics working in Nigeria to address the gap in entrepreneurship education and the challenges facing women academics.

In 2024, colleagues from the Adam Smith Business School (ASBS) visited Nigeria to establish a strategic institutional partnership with Babcock University by which entrepreneurship education could be enhanced and female researchers supported.

Iyke Ikegwuonu, Lecturer in International Business and Management, led on the project with Dr Josephine Adekola, Senior Lecturer in Management and the Adam Smith Business School Chair of Athena Swan. They first visited Babcock University in April 2024, to participate in their 'Venture Simulation Week', before returning in July 2024 to co-host the 'Females in Academics' conference, heralded as a "resounding success".

Venture Simulation Week

In April, the ‘Venture Simulation Week’ invited around 400 students from universities across Nigeria to engage in workshops which simulated tech ventures. They did so in teams allocated by ‘STAM-DEEP’, the innovative model of student team formation being developed by Iyke Ikegwuonu and Professor Margaret Fletcher, Professor of International Business at Glasgow. Over the course of the week, students participated in workshops looking at market data, financial modelling, and pitch crafting, culminating in a Venture Pitching event in which teams showcased their ideas to experts and potential collaborators. As an outcome of this, three top student groups were offered places on a 12-month Graduate Venture Development programme run by the GSET consortium.

Through their participation, Ikegwuonu and Dr Adekola engaged with students with an interest in tech venture and entrepreneurship and exchanged ideas and knowledge between Scotland and Nigeria. They established and built upon the partnership with Babcock University, and highlighted the value of international collaboration, a message that was further strengthened through the ‘Females in Academics conference’, co-hosted with Babcock in July 2024.

Females in Academics conference

60 academics from 13 higher education institutions in Nigeria’s Western Region attended the 'Females in Academics' conference, which focussed on addressing the challenges faced by female academics and empowering women for professional development.

Discussions highlighted the importance of inter-institutional collaboration within this effort, an emphasis that Glasgow remains committed to in its ongoing partnership with Babcock University and its wider outreach to African partners.

Following this, a paper abstract has been accepted for the special issue "The Gender Gap in Academic Research" in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, scheduled for publication in 2025.

"The events underscores the importance of international partnerships in fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and gender equity in academia. This collaboration not only strengthens institutional ties but also paves the way for sustainable and impactful international engagement. With continued support, these initiatives will drive lasting change, advancing innovation, academic excellence, and inclusivity in higher education across Africa.” 
Iyke Ikegwuonu

Looking ahead

Following the visits to Nigeria, colleagues from University of Glasgow have continued to investigate opportunities for collaboration and exchange, including the negotiation of a Memorandum of Understanding with Babcock University and the joint submission of grant applications to fund further initiatives for women in academia.

There are hopes that, through the institutional partnership and wider relationships established, there is scope for the foundation of an international Female Academic Network which will support women throughout their experiences in academic research and leadership.