NAN-H-82
University
By Modupe Seriboh
Ibadan, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) The Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, on Tuesday said the institution was striving to be world-class and meet society’s needs.
Olayinka stated this at the opening of the University of Ibadan Research and Development Fair (UIRESDEV) held at the institution’s International Conference Centre in Ibadan.
The theme of the fair is “Research, Innovation and Community Service for Societal Transformation’’.
He said that the fair was established by the university’s Senate as part of efforts to promote the spirit of enquiry, research and discovery as well as to contribute to local and global development.
He said that it was important for government, academia and the private sector to synergise to solve the problems in the country.
“Humanities are very central to everything we do; so, we have to come up with policies that can proffer solutions to the various issues bordering on our environment.
“I am optimistic that this interaction will bring to the fore the opportunities inherent in synergising our efforts for positive societal transformation,’’ the vice chancellor said.
On his part, UIRESDEV Chairman, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, said that the fair was entrusted with the mandate of aligning “town and gown’’ for revolutionary national development.
“This is in accord with the vision and primary function of the university which is to provide education, conduct research, public service, disseminate and create knowledge.
“All these are geared towards meeting societal needs,’’ Adeyemo said.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Paul Gbadebo, Group Managing Director, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, challenged the university to commission a study to quantify the gap between the quality of graduates produced and industrial needs.
In his presentation entitled “The Academic Portrait, Humanistic Values and Human Resource Development in the Industry’’, Gbadebo said matching human resource outputs of academic institutions with industry needs had remained impossible in recent years.
“I urge you to review these curriculums to ensure that the gaps are closed.
“The effort should also not be one-off, rather, the study should be sustained to ensure that the volatile dynamics in the industry are proactively tackled,’’ he said.
Dr Tunji Olaopa, the Vice-Chairman, Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP), called for a summit that would address intellectual, administrative and institutional issues. (NAN)
MAM/COF/OPI
Edited by Oluyinka Fadare and Olisa Ifeajika