Forty-two out of 5,249 graduates of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko for 2020/2021 academic session, have bagged First Class, even as the institution embarks on practical Entrepreneurship training of its students.
The Vice Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Professor Olugbenga Ige, disclosed this during
12th Convocation Press Conference held at the university’s Business School, Akure, the State capital.
According to Prof Ige, the institution has revitalised its Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, focusing on practical entrepreneurship training.
He said the entrepreneurship initiative are designed to train both students and interested members of the public in producing essential items such as shoes, belts, fabrics, nylon, soap, and pastries among others as part of step to make their graduates job creators and not job seekers.
The Vice Chancellor also pointed out that all the University’s academic programmes are now fully accredited by the National Universities Commission, NUC while, the University’s professional programmes including Law, Accounting, Banking & Finance, and Geology, are undergoing accreditation by their respective professional bodies.
Prof Ige listed some of the programme lined for the convocation to include; this year’s Convocation Lecture scheduled for this week Thursday to be delivered by The Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director of The Guardian Newspapers, Mr. Martins Oloja, who will on a topic, “Internationalisation of University Education for Global Relevance: Experiences, Barriers, and Prospects.”
The Conferment of First Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Higher Degrees, along with the Presentation of Prizes, is slated for Friday 8th December and Saturday, 9th December, 2023, when the Visitor to the University, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, is expected to grace the procession this Saturday.
“As customary, we have scheduled a series of week-long activities for this year’s Convocation ceremony. We commenced last Friday, December 1, 2023, with Jumat Prayers, followed by a Keep-Fit Exercise for staff and students on Saturday, 2 December.
“Today’s Press Briefing marks the third event among others in our lineup for the week. The exhibition (Research, Development, and Innovation Fair) will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, December 5. Later the same day, the Convocation Play, ‘Malokun,’ will be performed by The Ajasin Varsity Theatre, comprising both staff and students of the University; Wednesday, December 6, has been dedicated to a Friendly Match and various games.
“This year’s Convocation Lecture is scheduled for Thursday, December 7, and will be delivered by Mr. Martins Oloja, The Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director of The Guardian Newspapers, Lagos. He will speak on the topic, ‘Internationalisation of University Education for Global Relevance: Experiences, Barriers, and Prospects.’
“The Conferment of First Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Higher Degrees, along with the Presentation of Prizes, is slated for Friday 8th December and Saturday, 9th December, 2023. The Visitor to the University, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON., is expected to grace the procession on December 9.
“The grand finale, an Interdenominational Christian Service, will take place on Sunday, December 10. It is important to note that all these events, pivotal in heralding the Convocation proper, will be held on the University campus, except for the ongoing Media Press Briefing, holding here in our Business School, to also showcase it to the world as part of our efforts to deepen academic programme of the university.
“A total of 5,249 graduands from the 2020/2021 set will be honoured this year. The Faculty of Education leads with 1,202 graduands, followed by Science, Arts, Social Sciences, Administration and Management Sciences, Agriculture, Law, the Institute of Part-Time, and the Institute of Education. 180 graduands are receiving postgraduate degrees, with 24 in the PhD category. Of the graduating class, 42 achieved First Class; 1,088 in Second Class Upper Division; 2,264 in Second Class Lower Division; and 605 in Third Class.
“As expected, numerous academic prizes, endowed by distinguished individuals and corporate organizations, will be awarded to outstanding graduands who have excelled in their respective fields.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, permit me to reiterate that Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, remains committed to enhancing the integrity and quality of its academic programmes through continuous staff training, re-invention of programmes, and the establishment of a broad research agenda. Presently, all the University’s academic programmes are accredited by the National Universities
Commission. Moreover, the University’s professional programmes, including Law, Accounting, Banking and Finance, and Geology, hold accreditation from their
respective professional bodies.
“These structures have been diligently reinforced annually to produce this year’s graduands. We are confident that what the University releases to the society during this convocation ceremony are graduates equipped, not only with essential skills that make them significant contributors tothe nation’s and world’s developmental trajectory but also with entrepreneurial
competencies essential in an economy fostering private enterprise.
"In our commitment to internationalisation and benchmarking operations with global best practices, the University continues to foster partnerships and networks with sister universities both locally and abroad.
“We have extended our collaborations with reputable foreign organizations and universities, including the China-Africa Partnership Institute Exchange Programme, the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China focusing on Research Collaboration in Green Technology, and Ghent University, Belgium. Discussions on collaboration are ongoing with the University of Toledo, Ohio, USA, University of Aberdeen, University of Birmingham and Arden University in the United Kingdom, among others.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), remains steadfast in its dedication to excellence, evident through our consistent efforts to augment our online presence and academic standards. By prioritising the quality of our academic programmes and research initiatives, we have fortuitously strengthened our position in the digital sphere.
“This proactive stance has consistently earned AAUA recognition as the Best State University in Nigeria over the past four years according to the prestigious Webometrics Ranking. While this accolade fills us with pride, we view it as a stepping stone towards loftier aspirations on the global stage.
“Our proactive measures to revitalise our Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, focusing on practical entrepreneurship training. Our initiatives are designed to train both our students and interested members of the public in producing essential items such as shoes, belts, fabrics, nylon, soap, and pastries.
“This endeavour not only enriches our community but significantly bolsters our Internal Generated Revenue (IGR). Furthermore, our university’s venture has been reinforced and expanded to offer various goods and services catering to the needs of our university community.
“Notably, this year saw the introduction of AAUA bottled water, expanding the range of our products. Moreover, we have made significant strides in reinforcing and sustaining advanced technological solutions in the university’s operations. Our adoption of e-student registration, e-payment systems, e-transcript administration, e-clearance procedures, and e-voting for students’ union elections underscores our commitment to an ICT-driven administration.
“These technological advancements have significantly enhanced our university’s service delivery, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience for our students and staff. An achievement of note lies in our enduring and robust relationship with our alumni.
"Since its inauguration on December 14th, 2014, the alumni association has consistently demonstrated its commitment to giving back to the university, despite its limited resources and relatively nascent status.
“We express our sincere gratitude to our alumni for their steadfast support, acknowledging the valuable contributions they have made to the university’s growth. As we express our gratitude to our existing alumni supporters, we also extend an earnest call for more alumni involvement. We firmly believe that by fostering stronger ties with our old students, we can unlock a wealth of opportunities for the advancement of the university.
Their insights, experiences, and resources have the potential to propel us forward in our pursuit of excellence,” the Vice Chancellor said.
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