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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The immediate past vice chancellor of University Ibadan(UI), Professor Idowu Olayinka, has said the future of private universities in Nigeria is very bright.
Olayinka stated this during the second convocation ceremony of Kola Daisi University (KDU), Ibadan, on Thursday.
While delivering the convocation lecture, tagged: “The future of private universities in Nigeria,” Olayinka said public universities alone cannot take care of the demand of the teeming youths to access tertiary education.
“One area in which the private universities have been able to maintain a clear edge over the public universities is their ability to maintain a stable academic calendar. Even in the face of Covid-19 pandemic that ravaged the whole world in 2020 and 2021, it is gratifying that the private universities were flexible enough to switch to online teaching and to that extent the academic programmes were held with very little disruptions.
“It can be shown that about six years and three months have been lost to the national strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the last 34 years,” he said.
Olayinka stated that each university has to be strategic in building up its corp of academic staff who would be in position to bring out the best in the students.
“Universities have to decide internally on how to adapt and innovate their primary processes namely education and research activities, while externally they have to determine where and how they can contribute more effectively to socio-economic progress, community development, job creation and innovation.
“Each private university has to design its own template to be competitive while maintaining a very high reputation in order to stand out from the pack in terms of its teaching, research and relevance to society.
“Kola Daisi University should carve out its own niche of knowledge transfer considering an appropriate balance between its size, history, location and strengths, its aspirations and capacities, and society needs for relevant knowledge and technologies.
“The vision of Kola Daisi University is ‘to be a world-class institution for excellence in the production of graduates able to respond to the socio-economic needs of a knowledge driven economy while the mission is to nurture graduates with high employability attributes and competencies to help transform our country into global reckoning and position of pride in all human endeavours,'” he added.
Olayinka enjoined the graduating students to go out and be a change agent in the world.
In his address, the Chancellor and Founder of the institution, Chief Kola Daisi, admonished the graduating students to go out and be good ambassadors of the university.
“Aside your learning, your character should be impeccable, showcasing the quality of training you have imbibed during your sojourn here. You are to be problem solvers, finding solutions to challenges in your areas of interest,” he said.
Also, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Professor Adeniyi Osuntogun, lauded the founder for his continuous contribution to the development of infrastructure and other essential facilities to promote conducive learning environment.
The Pro- Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of KDU, Mr. Remi Babalola, charged the graduands to contribute to the greatness of their country and the world at large, adding that they should make the world a better place.
“You have earned your respective degrees through handwork, sacrifice and persistence. As you go into the real world, remember you are our ambassadors, our KDU name-bearers; always be deliberate to do the right thing and make the right choices.
“ You may need to occasionally be ‘comfortable with being uncomfortable’. Make an impact, add value, do something good wherever you find yourselves.
“You have no excuses and you have everything you need to change your world. Be rest assured, the clouds will break. Have some patience, engage in delayed gratification. Place substance over appearance, character over power and prestige,” he charges
Speaking, the vice chancellor of the institution, Professor Adeniyi Olatunbosun, implored the graduating students to do the school proud.
“Do not allow your future to be hindered, as your future is created by you and your attitude.The university will be awarding you your degrees because you have been found worthy in both character and learning.
“This, to a large extent will prepare you for positive leadership positions in a malicious society where such quality is gradually dwindling,” the VC said.
The Accord senatorial candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Mr Kolapo Kola-Daiso said the role of private universities can not be overemphasised, calling politicians to do away with violence as the country is getting ready for the next general elections.
Highlight of the event were the presentation of awards and prizes to some outstanding students of the institution.
A total of 92 students graduated from the institution, with 13 bagging first class.