PAMO University Joins 153-Institution Global Academic Network at Oxford

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, has joined the Oxonia University Network, an international alliance of more than 153 universities across 41 countries, in a move expected to strengthen global academic partnerships, medical research and healthcare education.
The announcement was made at an exclusive ceremony held at the prestigious Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, United Kingdom, during a high-level programme on Leadership and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Higher Education.
PAMO University was represented by Prof. Adaeze Oreh, on behalf of the university’s Board of Trustees.
The institution’s admission into the network marks a significant milestone in its international engagement, providing opportunities for collaboration with universities across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.
Established in 2013, the Oxonia University Network has grown from 16 institutions across 14 countries to more than 153 member universities in 41 countries. The network promotes international academic cooperation, research partnerships, innovation transfer and the practical application of research to address societal challenges.
The network connects member institutions across Nigeria alongside universities from countries including Malaysia, Jordan, Finland, Libya, the United Kingdom, Slovenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Armenia, Mexico, Slovakia, Lithuania, Brazil, and Venezuela.
PAMO University’s inclusion is expected to expand opportunities for joint medical research, faculty exchanges, collaborative healthcare training and international knowledge-sharing, particularly in medical education and health sciences.
The Oxford ceremony also witnessed a leadership transition within the network, with the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, formally assuming the presidency from his predecessor, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed.
In his inaugural address, Ribadu highlighted the need for universities to embrace emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to improve teaching, institutional administration and medical research.
He described the admission of specialised institutions such as PAMO University of Medical Sciences as evidence of the growing relevance of international academic collaboration.
According to him, strengthening research capacity and promoting responsible AI adoption would remain central to the network’s strategic direction as universities respond to evolving technological developments and global healthcare challenges.
Discussions at the event also focused on the deployment of specialised digital platforms to facilitate collaborative research, academic exchanges and the development of effective AI policy frameworks across member institutions.
PAMO University’s participation is expected to provide a platform for its academics and researchers to engage with international counterparts, develop collaborative research initiatives and contribute to global conversations on medical education and healthcare innovation.
The development comes as the Oxonia University Network considers a review of its governance structure following more than a decade of expansion.
The admission further positions PAMO University within an expanding international academic community committed to advancing higher education, research excellence and innovative solutions to global challenges.