PALM SIGNS MOU WITH OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Palm Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday August 3rd, 2020. The MOU covers areas such as faculty and student exchanges, research and outreach, instruction, pedagogical training for Palm faculty and staff, curriculum and program development, collaborative project implementation and other academic- related activities.

The MoU was signed on behalf of OSU by Dr. Stephan Wilson, Dean, College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS), Dr. Randolph Kluver, Associate Provost and Dean School of Global Studies and Partnerships. Dr. Peter Carlos Okantey, President, Palm Institute and Mrs. Beth Okantey, Provost, Palm Institute signed on behalf of Palm Institute.

Officials of the CEHS are taking steps to introduce Palm Institute to other Schools and Colleges of the Oklahoma State University system to strengthen the partnership between the two institutions
ACADEMIC ADVISING AT PALM
Effective Academic Advising at the university level is crucial to helping students navigate and utilize campus resources for their academic success. According to a research conducted by College Atlas (2014), 70% of students will study at a four-year college, but less than two-thirds
will graduate with a degree. According to the research, 30% of first-year students drop out after their first year of college. This shows that students are more likely to sail through their program smoothly if they have an Academic Advisor who guides them through their academic journey.

On that premise, the Leadership, Staff and Faculty of Palm Institute were taken through an online Zoom Training on Academic Advising on June 15th, 17th and 19 the , 2020 and was climaxed with an All-Day In-person Training at the Palm Campus, Manya Jorpanya on Saturday, June 27th. The training was facilitated by a colleague Academic Advisor from another
university.
Palm’s mission to educate ethical and excellent leaders in Africa necessitated the implementation of this training for the Palm Team. The training was designed to equip all Palm staff and faculty with the requisite academic advising skills and tools they would need to ensure student success at the university and to enhance their experiences as stakeholders of the Palm mission. Members of the Palm Team were trained in the following areas: Academic Affairs and Academic Advising, the Roles of the Advisor and Advisee in the Academic Advising Process, the Academic Environment, How to Develop an Advising Syllabus, Academic Advising Approaches and Career Advising.

Participants of the training worked on various projects, reviewed several relevant case studies and articles and participated in various activities that brought out the practicality of the content delivered and to strengthen the culture of teamwork at Palm. The training was indeed an eye opener for all participants. The Palm Team is therefore committed to setting up the Coaching, Counselling and Academic Advising Department at Palm to ensure the success of all students
who enroll in our programs.