ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE ACTING VICE CHANCELLOR, PROFESSOR M. O. LIASU AT THE FOURTEENTH COMBINED SPECIAL CONVOCATION CEREMONIES
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE ACTING VICE CHANCELLOR, PROFESSOR M. O. LIASU AT THE FOURTEENTH COMBINED SPECIAL CONVOCATION CEREMONIES FOR ADMISSION TO FIRST DEGREES AND AWARD OF PRIZES OF THE LADOKE AKINTOLA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY ON FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2022
PROTOCOLS
Your Excellency, The Visitor to the University and the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde
The Oyo State Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan
The Honourable Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly,
The Secretary to the Oyo State Government
Oyo State Head of Service
Members of the Oyo State Executive Council
Members of the Oyo State House of Assembly,
Your Royal Majesties
My Lords Spiritual and Temporal
Chancellors of other Universities
Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of LAUTECH
Pro Chancellors of other Universities
Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission
Vice Chancellors of other Universities
Members of the University Governing Council
Registrars of other Universities
Oyo State Permanent Secretaries
Principal Officers of LAUTECH
Chief Medical Director, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso
Provosts and Deans
Members of Senate
Members of Congregation
Chairman of Boards/Committees and Directors
Heads of Departments/Units
President and Members of the LAUTECH Alumni Association
LAUTECH Student Union Executive
Happy Parents and Guardians of our Graduands
The lucky Graduands
Gentlemen of the Press
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
PREAMBLE
I am most delighted and highly elated to welcome you all to this special occasion of the Fourteenth Convocation and Graduation Ceremonies of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
I give Almighty God the glory as we celebrate our 14th Convocation Ceremonies, precisely on this same day in 2016, when we held the 13th version, which has made today’s event a combined special convocation of this thirty-two-year-old citadel of learning.
The University has not been able to hold Convocation for her graduates as a result of series of crises that rocked the University to its foundation. But we thank God that the coming on board of His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde as the Oyo State Governor in 2019 has brought the University back to its feet. The bold actions taken by the Oyo State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde as the Governor, including solving the ownership crisis between Oyo and Osun States by taking over the sole ownership of the University has made it possible for us to be here today celebrating another Convocation.
I am indeed thankful to the Almighty that we have been able to fulfil our promise in order to afford our graduands of the 2015/2016, 2016/2017; 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020 as well as 2020/2021 academic years the opportunity to graduate formally after a long period of time and to have the opportunities and privileges associated with it.
I want to specially welcome our guests and well-wishers to this epoch-making occasion, and to congratulate our esteemed parents and guardians of our graduands who have deemed it fit to come and grace this joyful occasion with their children and wards. I also welcome academic and non-teaching staff whose God has used over the years to nurture our graduands.
THE GRADUANDS
Today, a total of twenty-four thousand, seven hundred and four (24,704) graduands will be awarded first degrees from various faculties indicated hereunder:
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Clinical Sciences
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences
- Faculty of Engineering and Technology
- Faculty of Nursing Sciences
- Faculty of Management Sciences
- Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences.
The following is the breakdown of the figure showing the class of degrees across faculties in the University:
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
CLASS OF DEGREE
1
21
22
3RD
PASS
TOTAL
2015/2016
22
376
798
186
-
1382
2017/2018
9
322
686
133
-
1150
2018/2019
31
406
434
130
1
1002
2019/2020
30
703
932
76
-
1741
2020/2021
FACULTY OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES
2015/2016
1
148
286
107
24
566
2017/2018
-
109
247
62
3
421
2018/2019
9
159
183
45
5
401
2019/2020
4
187
313
142
27
671
2020/2021
9
5
-
14
FACULTY OF CLINICAL SCIENCES
(MEDICINE)
2015/2016
100
UNCLASIFIED
100
2017/2018
188
√
188
2018/2019
69
√
69
2019/2020
7
√
07
2020/2021
-
-
-
-
-
-
FACULTY OF NURSING SCIENCES
DISTINCTION
CREDIT
PASS
2015/2016
-
235
79
314
2017/2018
-
499
168
667
2018/2019
-
288
42
330
2019/2020
03
662
50
712
2020/2021
-
-
-
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
2015/2016
26
404
498
179
12
1119
2017/2018
36
306
470
148
4
964
2018/2019
43
363
466
144
6
979
2019/2020
36
430
573
117
1
1157
2020/2021
1
63
47
5
116
FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
2015/2016
-
60
245
57
1
363
2017/2018
-
45
208
58
1
675
2018/2019
-
61
134
19
-
214
2019/2020
2
74
218
26
2
322
2020/2021
-
-
1
5
28
34
FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
2015/2016
3
230
675
136
1045
2017/2018
2
204
667
154
6
1033
2018/2019
8
189
652
86
-
935
2019/2020
2
246
759
13
18
1035
2020/2021
2
86
38
-
-
126
FACULTY OF PURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES
2015/2016
8
258
560
372
52
1250
2017/2018
28
261
491
331
40
1151
2018/2019
49
278
313
183
39
862
2019/2020
34
441
776
279
23
1553
2020/2021
-
3
5
23
5
36
GRAND TOTAL
753
8,096
12,023
3,221
299
24,704
OVERALL TOTAL
24,704
On this note, I wish to report that these graduands, who are being awarded the various Degrees of this University, have kept to the oath to which they swore during their matriculation.
To our lucky graduands, I say congratulations. I am proud to say without any fear of contradiction that you have been trained academically and otherwise that all you do must be in line with the University motto of EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY and SERVICE. It is my belief that having weathered the storm all these years, you are ready to go and conquer the world.
MY CHARGE
I charge you to be focused, determined, courageous, enterprising and technologically sharp-witted. Note that your schooling may be over, but remember that your education still continues. You are, therefore, enjoined to engage yourself in continuous training and education and be always prepared to contribute your quota to nation building. I admonish you to be good ambassadors of this University and be ready to give back to your alma mater as the Lord gives you the grace.
To the lucky Parents and Guardians, your investment and prayers have yielded good dividends. I say congratulations to you all for seeing your wards succeed in the primary assessment for which you sent them to us. By the Grace of God, you will continue to reap the fruits of your hard labour in good health, long life and sound mind.
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY SINCE THE LAST CONVOCATION
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it will be necessary to take stock of some of the giant strides we have made since the last Convocation Ceremonies and to appreciate those who supported the various developmental initiatives.
INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL RANKINGS
The University has continued to hold its own and is well-ranked by both local and international academic rating agencies. NUC in late 2021 ranked LAUTECH as the best state University in Nigeria and the 4th best in the country.
Similarly, leading global ranking body based in Turkey, AD scientific Index Limited has for the umpteenth time ranked LAUTECH as a leader among its peers in production of researchers. In the latest ranking (March 11, 2022), the body rated LAUTECH as the 9th best University in Nigeria in its “World Scientist and University Rankings 2022” which improved from 11th in 2021. Its position as accessed on the website of the organization via real-time analysis indicated that the Institution was 67th in Africa, which improved from 74th in 2021, based on the performance of her scholars.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION
Our University has continued to make modest strides in fostering entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education for her students.
Senate, on February 2022, approved compulsory entrepreneurship curriculum for the entrepreneurship course (theory and practice) which is expected to commence as from the 2022/2023 academic session.
The 2022 Hult Prize campus challenge was held at The Great Hall of the the university on March 10th, 2022. The Hult Prize, which was facilitated by Bill Clinton foundation, in partnership with the Hult International Business School and the United Nations Foundation was established in the year 2010 is an annual competition designed to crowd-source ideas from university students across the globe and to challenge students to come up with innovative ideas that can change the world for the better.
NEW FACULTIES AND DEPARTMENTS
In addition to the seven (7) existing Faculties in the University, new programmes in different Faculties and Departments have been approved for the university by NUC as follows:
Faculty of Computing and Informatics
- Department of Computer Science
- Department of Cyber Security
- Department of Information System
- Department of Library and Information Science
Faculty of Food and Consumer Sciences
- Department of Food Science
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Department of Consumer and Home Economics
- Department of Hospitality and Tourism
Faculty of Nursing Science
- Department of Medical and Surgical Nursing
- Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing
- Department of Community and Public Health Nursing
- Department of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Department of English and Literary Studies
- Department of Philosophy
- Department of History
- Department of Sociology
College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin Campus
- Department of Forest Resource Management
- Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management
- Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management
In line with the Oyo State Government vision to change the University from technology to conventional one and in addition to the above, processes are on-going to establish other programmes such as Law, Political Science, Mass Communication, Education and others. This is in order to make University education available to a large population of Oyo State indigenes in particular and well as others in general.
CENTRE FOR EMERGING SKILLS TECHNOLOGY (CEST)
The university Management established the Centre for Emerging Skills Technology (CEST) in the year 2019. The mandate of CEST is to develop competencies for the future.
The Chairman of CEST, Prof. John Adedapo Ojo was saddled with the responsibility of setting up and overseeing the operations of the Skill-G/TETFUND/NUC/Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) laboratories. The four laboratories are hosted on the ground floor of Olusegun Oke Library Annex, College of Health Sciences. These laboratories are fully furnished and well equipped with state-of-the-art science and engineering laboratory kits and machines.
The Laboratories are:
- Electronics & Communication,
- Autotronics,
- Mechatronics and
- Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration
CEST has been organizing a weekly training programme for the Technologists and Technical Staff of the relevant departments on how to use this equipment.
Meanwhile, because of the interest of the Governor Oluseyi Makinde in establishing a Technology Innovation Hub, commissioning of the completed hub consisting of a conference hall, lecture hall, robotics laboratory, autotronics workshop, research laboratory and offices, exhibition hall and administrative offices with state–of– the art equipment is part of the activities lined up for the combined special 14th Convocation Ceremonies. The hub after commissioning by His Excellency, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde will be used for training programmes such as Micro-Credentials, Mini-Degrees etc.
DIRECTORATE OF CENTRE FOR RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND DISCOVERY
The Directorate of Centre for Research, Innovation and Discovery (LAUCRID) under the leadership of Prof. I. A. Adedosu has been involved in the development of LAUTECH students technology-wise. Some of our students recently participated in a competition tagged Technology and Innovation EXPO 2022 organized by the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and they came second under the tertiary institution category. This is part of the University strategy to develop all-round students and also make significant contribution to the development of society in general and Oyo State in particular.
The Directorate produced two thousand (2000) pieces of 250ml (pump cap) alcohol-based hand sanitizers and one thousand (1000) pieces of 250ml hand wash for the University which assisted the University to meet the guidelines for safe re-opening of the University during COVID-19 Pandemic.
ENERGY/POWER SUPPLY
- The University Energy Committee and Faculty of Engineering and Technology Committee designed a hybrid PV solar diesel generating system for the new Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) building. One of the advantages of the design is the use of 100 kVA diesel generators instead of a 200 KVA generator which reduces fuel consumption and in turn ensures minimum environmental pollution, a major contributor to global warming. The design serves as a template for the design of hybrid power system for any unit/department of the university. The project is at the implementation stage.
- In the last one year, the Committee has been assisting in the design of solar powered inverter and inverter with storage battery as backup power supply for various units of the university that includes Academic Planning Unit, new Pure and Applied Sciences Building, New Laboratory Complex and Department of Architecture.
- The Committee, in collaboration with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), prepared a proposal on “The Construction of 21 km, 33 kv overhead lines from new Ogbomoso 132kV Transmission Station to LAUTECH and 2 *7.5 MVA, 33/11 kV Injection substation at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso”. The project is to make possible regular and reliable power supply to the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and the University main campus which is rapidly developing and expanding. The financial requirement of the project is high, but it can be actualized if one of the Federal Government Agencies, Rural Electrification Agency takes up its implementation.
NANOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP (NANO)
- LAUTECH Nanotechnology Research Group (NANO+) is a multidisciplinary research group formed on September 4, 2014 to advance the course of nanotechnology research and development.
- The group has published more than 140 papers since 2015 and made LAUTECH to be the second largest contributor of knowledge in nanotechnology in Nigeria via papers indexed by SCOPUS (2010-2020). Members of the group have contributed enormously to the current ranking of the University by national and international agencies.
- The head of the group, Prof. Agbaje Lateef is the second most productive researcher in nanotechnology in Nigeria in the last one decade, while five members of the group are among the top twelve (12) nanotechnology scholars in Nigeria as indexed by SCOPUS (2010-2020).
- The group has organized 5 annual workshops and conferences on nanotechnology since 2017 to promote research and development.
- Consistently since 2018, the Honorable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has identified with the activities of the group and invited LAUTECH to the 19th meeting of National Council on Science, Technology and Innovation through NANO+. Also, the group leader, Prof. Lateef was nominated into the membership of the Interminsterial Committee on Chemical and Material Industry, Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
- The group has developed nanobiotics, nanopaint, nanofilters, nanocomposites, nanopesticides, nanofertilizers, dye-sensitized solar cells among other things that can be explored in Nigeria to meet the targets of sustainable development goals of the United Nations.
- The group launched the first journal on nanotechnology in Sub-Saharan Africa, Nano Plus: Science and Technology of Nanomaterials, which is in its 4th volume.
- The group has trained many undergraduate and postgraduate students and mentored researchers in more than twenty (2) institutions in Nigeria.
- The group has popularized nanotechnology and the University through regular publications and interviews in print and electronic media, and also has attention on the younger generation to ‘catch them young” on nanotechnology initiatives.
- The research group has the focus of making LAUTECH the hub of nanotechnology research in Nigeria, and is pursuing the establishment of a centre of excellence in nanoscience and nanotechnology in the University.
DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMME
- The only programme available in the LODLC before 2016 was Computer Science but now we have in addition to this, Nursing Science, Accounting, Marketing, Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Extension and Rural Development totaling six (6) Programmes altogether.
- LODLC uses Learning Management System (LMS) for the training of its students online, which is giving the Centre an edge over its competitors across the country.
- The Centre has trained the chunk of its staff in the use of LMS and Course Adaptation and awarded certificate to the participants with the first set trained in Lagos. LODLC was the first Distance Learning Centre to use Learning Management System (LMS).
- Student population in the LODLC before 2016 was just 400, but now it has risen above 4,000.
- The Centre now has students across the six (6) Geo-political zones of the country and a number of international students.
Many universities operating Distance Learning Programme including Kwara State University, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Al-Hikmah University among others have brought their staff to the LODLC for training.
The Centre conducted e-examinations during Covid-19 for all its national and international students when everything was put on hold across the globe.
It was reported by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) that LAUTECH was the first Nigerian University to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of London (UoL) for collaboration in online teaching and learning.
The Centre recently organized a Sensitization Workshop on Authentic Assessment for Dual-Mode Universities in Nigeria in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL) Canada where a new and more effective method of assessment was highlighted to improve the fortune of education in Nigeria.
UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
The University International Office headed by Prof. Timothy Olabiyi was established to be a window for international relationships in terms of programmes, linkages, collaborations and research grants. As such, the office remains the University’s window to the world. Few of the achievements of this office are the followings:
- Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), UK collaborates with Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Nigeria on Partnership for Enhanced and Blended Learning in West Africa (PEBL-WA) Project.
- COSTECH Computers Ltd, Autodesk Authorized Gold Partner,111 Mclnnis Parkway, San Rafeal, CA, USA entered into partnership with Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
- Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, is in partnership with the Center for Community Excellence Inc., 8205 Hillsboro Court, Pasadena, Maryland 21122, USA on Renewable Natural Resources.
- College Research & Innovation Management (CRIM) Unit, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria to create Wellcome Trust submission platform for LAUTECH-https://wellcome.org/ (Grant, fellowships etc.).
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Belville South Africa (ii) University of Western Cape, Belville South Africa.
- Sustainable Development Solution Network (SDSN)
- Bridgia Solutions Limited, Nigeria.
- NNPC Professorial Chair in Basinal Studies, Dr. Makanti Baru Geological Research Centre, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria.
- The University currently has 24 International Students (Republic of Mali – 1; United Kingdom – 13; Saudi Arabia – 2; Ethiopia – 1; Canada – 1; Qatar – 1; Liberia – 1; United Arab Emirates – 3; Republic of Benin – 1.
The University International Office in collaboration with the Academic Planning Office of the University has submitted relevant information to Times Higher Education (THE) for the next World University Ranking. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology will be ranked among other Universities in the World very soon.
LAUTECH INFORMATION COMMUNICATION CENTRE (LICTC)
The LICTC has been in the forefront in providing world class IT services, support training and certification in a conducive environment for staff and students of the University using modern technological tools. The LICTC has recently been re-engineered into several units made up of ICT professionals charged with various responsibilities and roles.
Recently, there has been a lot of improvements in the LICTC in the areas of desktop support, web services, network operation, administration and internet services, training services etc.
The Centre has developed capabilities to move LAUTECH away from depending on moving information on memo papers to that to be driven by the knowledge power of Information Technology (IT).
SPORTING ACTIVITIES
The University has continued to support sporting activities in order to train sport-loving students in identified strong areas of sporting activities.
Below are some of the laurels won by the sports unit after the last Convocation Ceremonies
Name of Sport
Name of Competition
Medals Won
Year
Taekwondo
Korea Ambassador Cup, Lagos
2 Bronze Medals
2019
Taekwondo
Kwara State Sports Festival, Ilorin
1 Silver Medal
2019
Taekwondo
Lagos State Taekwondo SPARNORAMA Championship, Lagos
2 Gold Medals
2021
Taekwondo
Inspector General of Police Taekwondo Championship, Lagos
1 Bronze Medal
2021
Athletics
1st Osun State Sports Festival, Osogbo
1 Gold and 2 Bronze Medals
2021
Taekwondo
26th NUGA Games, Lagos
2 Silver and 4 Bronze Medals
2022
Karate
26th NUGA Games, Lagos
4 Silver and 4 Bronze Medals
2022
COMMITTEE ON ACADEMIC COLLABORATIONS
The Senate has approved twenty-three (23) study/information centres after Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were signed with some institutions that have been able to fulfill requirements for such academic collaboration with LAUTECH. The academic collaboration has helped the University to be able to extend its educational services to others outside the University campus.
The University Committee on Academic Collaborations headed by Prof. Dele Afolabi is saddled with the responsibility of initiating and facilitating Academic Collaboration with other Institutions is still making efforts to collaborate with more tertiary institutions.
It should however be noted that all these academic collaborations are being done in line with the NUC regulations on such matter.
STAFF AND STUDENTS’ WELFARE
In the areas of staff welfare, this administration has done everything necessary to resolve all bottlenecks affecting staff promotion and career advancement. Many academic and non-teaching staff who have been stagnated for many years have had their promotion processed once they satisfy the necessary requirements for it.
With the support of the Oyo State Government and the University Governing Council, the University just recently concluded payment of about eight months of arrears of salaries that were owed by the past administration and Government. The university administration, in conjunction with Council, is still not relenting on payment of any other allowances that may be due to staff.
In the period under reference, the University Administration continues to render financial support to staff for attendance of conferences and workshops both locally and internationally to enhance staff capacity building. Workshop, Lectures, Seminars are usually organized within the University for academic and non-academic staff.
However, in 2091/2020 session, COVID-19 Pandemic disrupted both academic and administrative activities in the University. Staff mobility was required by leveraging on ICT for conferences, workshops, lectures, meetings and most importantly examinations. Thank God, the negative effects of the pandemic on staff embarking on international travels for collaborative research, conferences and workshop has begun to reduce.
Students also received adequate attention in terms of provision of lecture halls, lecture halls renovation, laboratory facilities, internet facilities where necessary, regular electricity supply, easy transportation around campus, etc. Meanwhile, the Management has also implemented the directive of the Oyo State Government on the reduction of school fee by 25%, which makes LAUTECH school fees one of the lowest in the country.
SECURITY ON OUR CAMPUS
The administration, having known the implication of the University being a non-residential one for staff and students, always takes proactive measures to ensure that our campus is safe and secure from intruders and miscreants. Among many steps taken was enlisting the assistance of the Oyo State Police Command (Ogbomoso North and South) and other security agents to support the University Security Unit in order to sustain security in the University. In addition to provision of necessary equipment for the University Security Personnel in order to make them more efficient on the job, University also organizes training programmes for these security personnel for enhanced performance.
STAFF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I have the pleasure of informing you that our academic staff members and students continue to make commendable strides for their unrelenting contributions to knowledge in their various fields. I will report only a few of these achievements due to time.
- The duo of Professors Agbaje Lateef of the Department of Pure and Applied Biology, and Olugbenga Solomon Bello of the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry are 32nd and 33rd best researchers in Nigeria, and ranked 1st and 2nd scholars respectively in LAUTECH. The two lecturers consistently remained among the topmost 100 scholars in Nigeria in different rankings by different organizations.
Agbaje Lateef is a Professor of Microbiology with research interests in industrial microbiology, biotechnology and nanobiotechology and heads the famous LAUTECH Nanotechnology Research Group, while Olugbenga Solomon Bello is a Professor of Physical Chemistry with expertise in absorption chemistry and waste water treatment.
- The Minister of Health, Dr. Ehanire Osagie has appointed the Dean, Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Professor B. L. Ajibade into the Governing Board of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) with effect from December, 2021.
CAPITAL PROJECTS
Since the last Convocation, some capital projects being sponsored by TETfund are either under construction or at completion stages. These include the Three Billion Naira Hostel project under construction, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Management Sciences building and Faculty of Clinical Sciences Simulation Laboratory.
LAUTECH Alumni Association under the leadership of Mr. Solomon Onilede has also put up an event Centre which will serve the purpose of holding meetings and events.
Currently at Iseyin campus, there are constructions of Lecture Halls and Offices on-going funded through Revitalization of Public University Needs Assessment Projects at the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources while another building is being constructed for the Faculty of Renewable and Natural -Resources being sponsored by the Oyo State Government.
All these point to the fact that the University is also growing in terms of infrastructure developments.
ACCREDITATION EXERCISE
Since the last Convocation Ceremony in 2016, the University has successfully gone through professional and NUC accreditation exercises and has come out clean. University is also busy preparing for accreditation exercise for other programmes such as Medicine, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nursing e.t.c.
RESEARCH GRANTS AND AWARDS
-Through LAUCRID, LAUTECH has been able to secure 2019 TETfund Research and Development/Centre of Excellence Intervention fund worth Forty-Five Million Naira (₦45,000,000.00) only. This intervention is to set up and run Research and Development Office/Centre of Excellence.
- Prof. Salawudeen Taofeeq Olalekan of Department of Chemical Engineering and his Research Team won the 2020 TETfund National Research Fund grant worth Thirty-Six Million, Nine Hundred and Nighty Eight Thousand, Seven Hundred and Three Naira (₦36,998,703.00) only. The title of the award is Polymeric Modification of Indigenous Bitumen in the Presence of Nano Additives for Improved Road Service Life in Nigeria.
- Prof. Justice O. Emuoyibofarhe Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Informatics and Prof. John B. Oladosu of the Department of Computer Engineering won the Inaugural Innovation for African Universities Programme (IAU), 2021 awarded by British Council. The value of the grant is £60,000 (₦33,383,253.25).
- Professor Daniel Olusola Ojurongbe of the Department of Medical Microbiology won the Humboldt Research Hub awarded by the Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation. His research is on the Establishment of Centre for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases with focus on genetic factors influence on the relatively low mortality rate for COVID-19 in Africa. The value of the grant is €750,000 (₦357,183,513.08).
- Six of our early/mid-career researchers in the Departments of Pure and Applied Physics, Earth Sciences, Agricultural Engineering, Crop Production and Soil Science, Agricultural Extension and Rural Development across the University, won 2020 TETfund Postdoctoral research grant worth of Sixty-two Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand, Three Hundred and Seventy-five, Ninety-five kobo Naira (₦62,881,375.95) only. The awardees will utilize this award in the following countries: Eswatini, South Africa, India and Malaysia.
- Dr. F. N. Osuolale of the Department of Chemical Engineering won 2021-2022 Fulbright visiting scholar program in the United States of America. The title of the research is Production of High Value Fuels from Biomass Gasification.
- Dr. Akintonde Johnson Oluwole of the Department of AERD won the 2016 Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) - Climate Impact Research Capacity Leadership Enhancement (CIRCLE), Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award- Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, East Africa- January-December, 2016.
- Dr. Akintonde, Johnson Oluwole of the Department of AERD won the 2022 Tertiary Education Trust Fund. Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Post-Doctoral Fellowship Scholarship Award- University of Eswatini, Swaziland- January-December, 2022.
NAMES OF LECTURERS WITH OUTSTANDING SCHOLARLY PUBLICATIONS
It is my pleasure to read out to you the names of the following Lecturers in the University with outstanding scholarly publications with their total number of Google citations as of April 11, 2022:
-
-
- Professor Olugbenga Solomon Bello (Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry) (4588 total citations).
- Professor Lateef Agbaje (Department of Pure and Applied Biology) (4225 total citations).
- Professor Beatrice Iyabo Olayemi Ade-Omowaye (Department of Food Science) (2662 total citations).
- Professor Omotayo Sarafadeen Amuda (Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry (2439 total citations).
- Professor Musibau Adewuyi Azeez (Department of Pure and Applied Biology (2169 total citations).
-
We appreciate these Lecturers for projecting their names and that of the University internationally through their research and publications.
APPRECIATION AND CONCLUSION
Permit me to express our heartfelt appreciation to the Visitor to the University, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, for his support and for creating the required environment for the smooth running of the University to fulfill its vision and mission.
I must also express our appreciation to the Governing Council under the able leadership of Professor Ayodeji Oludare Omole for their support and counsel which has assisted Management tremendously to record our modest achievements so far.
My immense appreciation also goes to the Principal Officers, Provosts, Deans, Heads of Departments/Units, Senate members, Chairmen of Boards/Committee/Directors, Academic and Non-Teaching Staff members for their support.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, having realized that we cannot fix everything at the same time, we have been focused amidst the large platform of needs and requests in order to fulfil the mission and vision of providing suitable condition for the advancement of knowledge through research and learning, producing self-reliant graduates who will apply technology-driven knowledge to creativity and positively impact on the global environment on our immediate community. We covet your continued support as we are determined to march forward.
Thank you for listening and God bless you all.
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