UNILORIN grooms students for independence – VC
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has said that students of the University are being groomed for independence from government jobs. He also said that the management of the institution has embarked on substantial investments in various initiatives to ensure that students get the best of services.
Prof. Egbewole made these remarks last Tuesday (April 16, 2024) while receiving a team from the National Universities Commission (NUC) that visited the University to evaluate its enterprise development centres. The centres visited were the Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre (TEC), the Advancement Centre, and the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).
The Vice Chancellor, who spoke through the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Suleiman Folorunsho Ambali, said that the current administration is embarking on a series of transformative initiatives in a bid to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among the students. He explained that the investments in equipping the University’s Entrepreneurship Centre are aimed at empowering students for self-sufficiency beyond traditional employment avenues.
While recognising the need for a strategic overhaul, the Vice Chancellor explained that a management committee, chaired by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation) and comprising key stakeholders such as the Registrar and the Bursar of the University, had been commissioned to revamp the centre’s operations for enhanced functionality.
He said, “We are pursuing this initiative because we believe the centre should function as an entrepreneurship hub, generating revenue for the University while also aiding students in achieving self-sufficiency. Our plan is to structure it in a manner where the products they create will fit into what we envision as TEC ventures. Here, they will focus solely on production, while marketing and other operational aspects will be managed by an independent entity for commercialisation purposes”.
While saying that the primary objective of the University is to equip students with the skills to be self-reliant and become employers of labour, the Chief Executive Officer of the University of Ilorin noted that the citadel of learning places a strong emphasis on this aspect of education.
He said, “The Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre (TEC) stands out significantly, not only due to its exceptional facilities but also its effective utilisation for the benefit of students.
Prof. Egbewole added that the University has forged partnerships with local and international organisations to ensure that its students are prepared to compete on a global scale”.
Commenting on the administration’s efforts to revamp the Advancement Centre, the Vice Chancellor remarked that the administration had taken significant strides in bolstering the Advancement Centre. “We recognise the immense potential of the Centre and its pivotal role in positioning our University as a global player,” he said.
He added,“The current University leadership places great emphasis on partnerships, and efforts are underway to strengthen the centre. We have one of the most skilled individuals in the country managing the Advancement Centre, as we believe his influence and connections will attract beneficial partnerships to the University. The centre is undergoing a strengthening process, and I believe that in the next couple of months, it will become a success story.”
While acknowledging the visit of the NUC team to perform the oversight function, the Vice Chancellor shared the University’s perspective on the evaluation exercise as a highly significant task. “We commend the NUC for its oversight function, as it keeps universities accountable and striving for excellence. As a University, we remain vigilant in fulfilling our mandate, understanding that your visit serves as encouragement for us to do more. We assure you that we will continue to value this oversight function and maintain a strong relationship with the regulatory body.”
He, however, assured the NUC team that the University management will take all suggestions into consideration, and take necessary actions to make all programmes in the University of global standard.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the NUC team on the Evaluation of Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) in Nigerian Universities, Mrs O.H. Ilemona, commended the University of Ilorin for the functionality of its offices and the activities being carried out at the Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre (TEC), the Advancement Centre, and the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).
Mrs Ilemona said that her team had ascertained that these offices are not only existing at the University but are also functional and carrying out the activities expected of them and within the capacity they have been given by the regulatory body.
Using the NUC template as a guideline, Mrs Ilemona said that her team found that the Advancement Centre is effectively partnering and linking up with appropriate institutions, adding that the centre’s operations align closely with NUC expectations for an advancement centre.
In assessing the entrepreneurship initiatives, Mrs Ilemona explained the importance of igniting students’ minds beyond vocational studies or technical education. She lauded TEC for housing various viable units such as garment making, photography, studio, printing, and shoe making, stressing that entrepreneurship should be the cornerstone of the University’s internally generated revenue (IGR).
The NUC team leader also expressed satisfaction with the submission of the University of Ilorin for the Student’s Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), noting that it was in line with NUC requirements.
The team, however, highlighted areas that needed improvement and urged the University management to take its advice seriously.
Joining the Vice Chancellor to receive the NUC team were the Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla; the University Librarian, Dr Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa; the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Godwin Tunde Arosanyin; the Director of Advancement Centre, Prof Olukunmi Lanre Olaitan; the Director of the Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre (TEC), Prof. Usman Adebimpe Raheem; and the Director of the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), Prof. Kayode Rowland.