(Picture Modupe Ajayi, Registrar, Professor Oye Ibidapo- Obe, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos and the Current Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Professor Adedayo Fasakin, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, and Professor Tolulope Akinbogun, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development shortly after the FUTA Registry Sixth Annual Lecture with the title Universities of the Future: Roles of the Stakeholders on Thursday, August 14, 2014 )
The University of the Future must embrace what is in vogue through the revolution brought by ICT since the internet will transform Universities in the same way it has the media, entertainment and retail markets. A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos and current Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe stated this at the Sixth Registry Annual Lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Akure held on Thursday August 14, 2014. Ibidapo –Obe who was the guest lecturer at the well-attended event advised Nigerian Universities to place premium on intellectual property production through purposeful research and development. This, to him, is achievable through specialization and branding rather than broad-based teaching.
He said the University of the Future will always occupy the “driver’s seat” in knowledge generation and transfer because a University is expected to proffer solution to the challenges of the society. “The University is established to provide succor to the society in times of challenges such as poverty, war, insurgency, terrorism, famine, flooding” he said.
Speaking further, the don said Universities in Nigeria need constant collaborations with other world class institutions and research centers so as to remain relevant in the 21st Century. Ibidapo-Obe lamented the poor funding of University education in Nigeria and called on the governments who are the proprietors and major stakeholders in the University administration to critically look into the issue of funding, deteriorating infrastructure, dearth of funds for research, University autonomy, students’ unrest and constant industrial action among other important issues.
He said “It is obvious that unless urgent revamping of the system is undertaken, the survival of the Universities in Nigeria the way we know it is at great risk. One of the gaping flaws in the system is that there is too much of government in the set-up and operation of these institutions and this bureaucracy kills innovation, creativity and inventiveness.”
He also challenged University authorities to review the outdated curriculum and improve on the synergy between ‘town and gown’ since a University has community service as one of its focal functions. He further said that the society will be better if Universities can produce graduates that will fit perfectly into the workplace and add value to the growth of the economy.
The don lauded FUTA for its positive uniqueness, innovation and excellence. Professor Ibidapo-Obe said FUTA has always excited him for many reasons. “One of the reasons is your uniqueness in the area of research and proposal writing. This University is recognized for innovative and creative way of doing things. The research proposals
I have come across from FUTA are always excellent. To methis is as a result of the synergy between the academic and the registry. I urge you to sustain your tradition of excellence so that others can learn from you. Also, University Administrators should strive to look at the future of Nigerian Universities so as to sustain quality.”
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Adedayo Fasakin said “To build a University of the future, there is the need to first assess our relevance and level of competitiveness in terms of output and professionalism. Since the Registry is the hub of the wheel that runs the University and a reflector of the University’s reputation and attainment, it is important to build the capacity of its members so as to ensure its efficiency and relevance. Here in FUTA, we have long realized this and we are systematically exploring all avenues to ensure we parade the best array of professional administrators all the time.”
Earlier in her address, Chief Host and Registrar, Dr. (Mrs.) Modupe Ajayi said it has become the collective challenge and responsibility of all stakeholders to appraise the system with a view to knowing what is missing and the requirements for improved productivity and ranking. On the way forward, Dr. (Mrs.) Ajayi said “As Professional Administrators, there is the need for constant knowledge update and enhanced professionalism in the conduct of our duties as stakeholders to make our University 21st Century relevant and globally competitive”.
