UNILORIN Arabic Dept. pays working visit to UI
…..HOD promises more collaborations
By Abubakar Imam
The Ag. Head of the Department of Arabic and Transnational Studies, University of Ilorin, Dr Hassanat Funmilayo Abubakar-Hamid, last Thursday (April 2, 2026) led a delegation consisting of some staff members and students of the Department on a field trip to the University of Ibadan with a view to enriching their academic exposure.
Apart from holding fruitful consultations with the management of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, the delegation also took time to assess some rare archival materials warehoused both at the Institute and the Kenneth Dike Library of the University.
Speaking with UNILORIN Bulletin on the visit, Dr Abubakar-Hamid explained that the visit was quite significant as it exposed members of the delegation to relevant manuscripts and other historical materials written in Arabic Language.
The seasoned Arabist explained that the visit was specifically important for students of Arabic 483(Arabic Manuscripts Editing) as it would keep them more informed and prepared for the future.
While saying that the experience exposed the students to the practical aspects of preserving, editing and interpreting classical Arabic text, she said that it also deepened their knowledge in the field of Arabic Studies.
She added that the visit reinforced the importance of preserving historical texts and equipped participants with valuable skills necessary for future academic and research pursuits.
Dr Abubakar-Hamid also said her Department would continue to explore its relationship with the Institute and the Dike Library as well as the University of Ibadan at large.
Other academic staff of the Department on the delegation were an Associate Professor, Dr Abdurrasheed Mahmoud-Makadam; and two Senior Lecturers, Dr Abdulsalam Babatunde Ambali and Dr Imam Akeyede Muritala.
