A visit to the First Technical University (Tech U), Ibadan will bring you some pleasant surprises.
From digital learning aids, 3-in-one degree programmes and technology-driven operations to small classes that promote individualised learning, the four-year old institution is blazing the trail in 21st century university education in Nigeria.
As you are confounded by pleasant discoveries about Tech U, you will not be surprised that the state university, which took off only four sessions ago, is now ranked as the 7th best state university and the 27th best among the 201 universities in Nigeria.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ayobami Salami, who started the institution from the scratch in 2017, told journalists at a press conference on Thursday that Tech U has not only made monumental progress academically, it has built physical infrastructures as well as linkages with foreign universities for internationalisation.
At the convocation press conference, Salami revealed that the institution, which is owned by the Oyo State Government, will graduate its first set on March 5. A total of 63 graduates will participate in the first convocation.
Of the lot, 12 made first class while 24 finished with second class upper division grades.
Just why are students rushing the institution?Below are three factors accounting for the steady rise in student enrolment at Tech U.
- 3-in-1 degree programme
Every student is enrolled for a diploma programme in Entrepreneurial Studies in addition to the degree programme, which allows them to be equipped for vocations that they can start after graduation. The programme is not just one or two courses in the four or five-year degree programme, it is a diploma course through which students gain the skills they need to earn a decent income or start a business after graduation, should they choose to ignore white collar jobs. As they graduate, therefore, they are also skilled in areas such as paint-making and painting, fashion design, auto and electrical technic, interior and exterior decoration, among others.
The students gain their third certificate in a second international language – French. This widens their opportunity to get jobs and do business in Francophone countries.
For this reason, some graduates already own start-ups. - Tech-driven, practical-based learning
The university proves that the ‘technical’ in its name is not in mere theory or for rhetorical advantage. Teaching and learning are fully technology-driven at Tech U. No single classroom has a chalk board. Lecturers and staff clock in and out of the classroom for attendance record. Classrooms, offices and laboratories are internet connected.
Besides, many classrooms at Tech U are air-conditioned.
Electricity supply is stable enough to support teaching, learning and student residential accommodation.
These are made possible by state-of-the-art equipment in the laboratories and classrooms and staff members who are only recruited through head-hunting to get the best and committed hands. Even at that, staff are retrained to be able to handle the equipment for effective service delivery.
This factor explains the reason some of the graduating students have already got jobs which they secured through their performance during industrial attachment. - Job offer/start-up ownership at graduation
Some of the graduating students already have a job which they got while on industrial attachment during their programme. Employers were impressed by their skill level, thereby leading to automatic job offers after graduation.
Some others have started using the skills acquired to start a business. They already registered their business and have started flying.
This takes care of an insecure future starting at most parents.
It is, therefore, not surprising that the university currently has over 900 students.
ENDS
