UNILORIN gave me solid academic foundation- Glasgow based alumnus

A former President of the Faculty of Arts Students Association, University of Ilorin, Mr Folorunso Fatai Adisa, has advised graduating students of the institution to hold their heads high in recognition of the fact that the quality of education obtainable at the University is at par with, if not better than, what is obtainable at institutions of higher learning abroad.

Mr Adisa stated this penultimate Monday (March 25, 2024) while speaking with UNILORIN BULLETIN on phone on his experience as a student in a foreign University.

Mr Adisa, who expressed gratitude for the quality of academic and attitudinal training he received at the University of Ilorin, noted that access to the internet means access to an endless wealth of information.

He added that the internet would continue to allow students to delve deeper into their studies and broaden their understanding of various subjects.

Speaking specifically on his experiences at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland during his Masters degree programme, Mr Adisa noted that his Professors in “Discourse Analysis” often expressed admiration at his comprehension of the course, which he first encountered at the University of Ilorin.

On the quality of lecturers at the nation’s most sought-after University, Mr Adisa said, “I am confident that lecturers like Professors Mahfouz Adedimeji and Taofeeq Alabi would captivate the hearts of students in my department if given the opportunity to teach them “.

Mr Adisa recalled that he had a reason to challenge his grade in a particular course back in Scotland as he explained the role which his foundation at the University of Ilorin played in overcoming the problem.

He added, “The University of Ilorin possesses a communal spirit that envelopes me in a sense of connection akin to that between a fetus and its mother. Given my positive relationships with my lecturers at the University of Ilorin, especially Professors Mahfouz Adedimeji and Jeleel Ojuade, I developed a habit of easily relating with my teachers. Additionally, I believe I learned confidence from Prof. AbdulRasheed Adeoye, who served as my staff adviser when I was the President of the Faculty of Arts Students Association. The varied experiences I gained from these academics-the confidence of Adeoye, the humility of Mahfouz, and the friendliness of Ojuade later assisted me in assertively demanding my rights during my Master’s studies at the University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom”.

He recalled a particular situation, which he said stands out in his memory, saying during his Master’s studies, particularly in the course titled “Research Skills in Media and Communication” (P3978), he had a cause to complain about a disappointing score of 22 out of 100.

He said, “I was undeniably disheartened. Without delay, I contacted my Professor, expressing my disbelief and requesting a reevaluation of my work. Despite her assurance of the accuracy of the assessment, I persisted, drawing from my prior experiences, particularly the research and communication skills honed while working on the Governor of Ogun State’s 100 Days in Office report during my time as a corps member at the Ministry of Information and Strategy.

A meeting was promptly convened to address the discrepancy, leading to the discovery of a glitch in either the online platform or the Turnitin system. Consequently, my script was reevaluated, and to my relief, I received a revised score of 72%,  an A grade”.