The Visitor to the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa and Governor of Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has declared that his administration has transformed the education sector of the state in the last six years.
Specifically, the governor said his administration met OAUSTECH in a “deplorable condition” but he changed the story of the institution for better.
The governor stated this at the maiden convocation ceremony of the university held at the institution’s main auditorium in Okitipupa.
According to him, the condition of the university was alarming, especially in terms of provision of roads, buildings and other essential facilities needed for a conducive learning environment.
He said “This informed our resolve to change the narrative by immediately commencing a gradual, radical and systematic implementation of the state government’s strategic plan for the university.
“I am delighted to recall that within our 100 days in office, we facilitated the asphalt overlay of the first phase of the university road network and inaugurated same for use.
“We have also recently approved the construction of a 2.5 kilometre road network for the university which has achieved about 75 per cent level of completion.”
He highlighted some of the projects on the campus of the institution completed by his administration. They include; the university senate building, the university library and the university auditorium, promising to complete all projects in batches as the state’s finances improve.
“To this end, our administration has tremendously supported in the university’s quest for TETFund funding. Today, we are all happy that the university has started to have the presence of TETFund projects while more opportunities are underway.
“We have also noted that within the last six years of our administration, OAUSTECH, which used to offer courses only in the School of Science, has added courses in two additional schools; School of Engineering and Engineering Technology and the School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
“All courses offered by the university in the three schools have been accredited by the National Universities Commission. I commend the university management and council for these achievements,” Akeredolu added.
In his speech, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Emmanuel Ologunorisa, disclosed that a total of 982 graduates from six sets between 2014/2015 and 2019/2020 sessions bagged the university’s first degrees in the maiden combined convocation ceremony.
Out of the 982, the VC stated that a total of 26 made first class, 307 made second class (upper division), 488 finished with second class (lower division) and 161 with third class.”
Ologunorisa also disclosed that the varsity had collaborated with the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission to commence the Maritime Academy which will take off by September this year, adding that the institution had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with various institutions across the globe, under its ‘Blue Economy’ programme.
Ologunorisa also said that the institution also had series of interface and collaborations with the government, the private sector and other corporate organisations for it to be in vantage position for research and recognised in all spheres.
He said, “As a university, our research agenda is based on the concept of Blue Economy. This is the economy of the marine, coastal and ocean environment. To drive this, we are establishing the School of Maritime Transport and Logistics, and Center for Blue Economy and Innovation.
“We are leveraging on our strategic location at the coast to develop programmes and courses that will produce the needed manpower in the critical field of the maritime sector/industry.”
He listed the challenges confronting the institution to include funding, power supply, hostel accommodation among others, appealing to illustrious sons and daughters of the state to invest in the school.
“They are encouraged to collaborate with us in this mutually beneficial venture by coming to donate towards the development of the university,” the don appealed.
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