GBENRO ADESINA/IBADAN
As the University of Ibadan, UI, commences its 68th convocation activities on Tuesday November 8, 2016 with Research and Development Fair, expected to showcase various societal impactful researches from different departments, the authority of the nation’s premier university disclosed that 9,865 graduands are slated for convocation this year.
This was disclosed today in a press briefing jointly addressed in the VC conference room by the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka and the Chairperson, University of Ibadan Research and Development Fair, Professor Olanike Kudirat Adeyemo. Professor Adeyemo from the Veterinary Department of the institution specializes in Aquatic Epidemiology and Technology.
Given the breakdown of the graduands, Olayinka said that 5,598 undergraduates, 265 diploma students, 3579 Master’s Degree, 442 PhD graduates, and one Doctor of Medicine from the College of Medicine are slated for graduation.
The VC who revealed that the number of the PhD graduands convocating this year is the highest ever produced in a single year added that: AIhaji Aliko Dangote, Professor Niyi Osundare and Chief Bode Amoo would also be conferring honourary degrees on the Founder’s Day in November 17, 2016.
“The university will confer honourary degrees on three distinguished and illustrious Nigerians. One of them is Alhaji Aliko Dangote who is reputed to be the most famous entrepreneur and richest man in Africa. We are showcasing him not because he is rich only but because of his entrepreneurial spirit. He is building the world’s biggest refinery in Lagos State, Nigeria. The refinery will employ thousands of Nigerians. We are showcasing him as a very successful entrepreneur”, Olayinka said.
Also, he said, “Chief Amoo is the first Asiwaju of Ibadanland who has been the great benefactor to UI. He built the Crèche for us between 1996 and 2000 when his friend, Professor Omoniyi was the VC. Because of his very large heart, Amoo never insisted that the Crèche should be named after him. Beyond that, he has been awarding scholarships to Nigerian students for the past 30 years through Bode Amoo foundation being coordinated by the former Acting VC of the institution, Professor Oladosu Akanni Ojengbede. He has contributed to UI, Oyo State and Nigeria in general. He deserves the honourary degree of this university. He is about 84 years old. He is very humble and a role model that we need to showcase”.
Last but not the least according to the VC is Osundare, whom he described as one of the world’s literary giant, who was the former Head of Department in English adding, “He retired from the Department of English and he is currently a professor in a reputable university in USA”.
Speaking on the research and development fair themed, “Research Innovation and Community Service for Societal Transformation”, Olayinka assured that the fair will be an annual event that would showcase researches of students and lecturers that have meaningful impact on the society.
His words, “Coming to the fair slated for Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8, the motive is that when you look at UI, our mandate is to teach students. Beyond that, we have to do research works. The research should be able to have positive impact on the society and meet the needs of the society. The vision of UI is to be a world class institution for academic excellence. We need to be able to influence and have impact on our immediate environment: Oyo state, Nigeria and the world at large. For us in UI, the world is our catchment. In the fair, we will showcase the useful research findings that our students have been able to come up with over the last two years. The fair will take a form of a typical conference format. Over 100 of our colleagues are going to exhibit their findings. The first day will be for the Arts and Humanities; and the second day is for Science and Applied Science. We have sent invitations out to the industrialists in the private sector to come and see our potentials”.
Corroborating the VC, Adeyemo said that the major achievement of the fair is the ability of the institution, which she described as the Harvard University of Nigeria to bring the town and gown together in such a way that they can relate for the development and benefits of Nigeria and the world at large.
She noted that the fair has lots to showcase in the Arts and humanities adding, “The fair is not only science; even in the art and humanity, we have researches that have the tendency to impact the society and inform policy. We are looking for collaboration and the town that will convert our ideas to products”.