The University conducts Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post-UTME), to attract quality students and to produce good graduates. The just-concluded 2017/2018 Post-UTME exercise of the University has been adjudged to be huge success by a cross-section of respondents, comprising prospective students, parents and guardians as well as invigilators.
Attesting to the smooth conduct of the examination, Professor Toyin Arowolo, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) in the University and the Post-UTME Coordinator, lauded the Admissions Committee of the University, led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Oluyemisi Eromosele, for building on past Post-UTME experiences to ensure a successful exercise. According to him, the examination started on time and as scheduled with adequate invigilators and postgraduate students, who served as adhoc staff. Professor Arowolo added that voluntary organisations like the Man O’ War, Nigerian Red Cross, Boys Brigade and Road Safety served as candidates’ guides while the Information and Communications Technology experts were fully on ground to ensure a hitch-free exercise. He, however, suggested the provision of additional air-conditioners in the computer laboratory, to extend the life span of the computer systems.
Giving a brief on the exercise, the Chief Invigilator at the 500-Seater Computer Laboratory, which is one of the venues of the examination, Professor James Oguntuase, of the Department of Mathematics, College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS), disclosed that two examination centres and two holding centres at the 500-seater Computer Laboratory, the Oba Lipede Multipurpose Building Computer Laboratory, the Mahmood Yakubu Lecture Theatre and the Multipurpose Lecture Theatre II; were set aside for the exercise with adequate invigilators. According to him, the examination was expected to last for two days and for each day, a total of 4,000 students were expected. The Chief Invigilator at the Mahmood Yakubu Lecture Theatre holding centre, Professor Adekojo Waheed, of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering (COLENG), stated that at the centre, biometric data of the candidates were verified before they were allowed into the examination centres.
Rating the exercise as excellent, an Assistant Chief Invigilator, Professor Helen Bodunde of the Communications and General Studies Department, College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD), noted that as part of plans to encourage a free and fair examination and to discourage examination malpractice, questions were interchanged. Corroborating her, one of the invigilators, Dr. Florence Olowokere of the Department of Soil Science and Land Management (SSLM), College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT), stated that the prospective students comported themselves well, noting that they were disciplined.
She, however, disclosed that some of the candidates were not computer-literate and needed to be guided by technical staff on ground. Speaking on measures taken to ensure the success of the exercise from the technical angle, the Director, Information Technology and Communications Resource Centre (ICTREC), Professor Adesina Agboola, stressed that ahead of the exercise, his team had ascertained the functionality of all the computer systems that were to be used, adding that they were able to install the required software needed to login in and out, as well as a timing system, to make sure that each student had equal time for the examination, while assuring them of the promptness in releasing results.
Commending the University for organising the examination properly, one of the parents of the candidate, Mrs. Adeniyi Ogunba said that the University was appreciated for the timely information given to the parents and guardians, while waiting for their wards. She admonished the University Management to increase the time allocated to each candidate, as it was not sufficient to answer the questions. Similarly, Pastor Adesanya Joseph lauded the University for taking good care of the parents and guardians, by providing a canopy to shield them from sunlight and rain, while thanking the Guidance and Counselling Unit for providing useful information to parents and guardians, adding that other universities should take a cue from FUNAAB.
In a separate chat with Mrs. Olufunmilayo Bankole, who incidentally was a guardian to one of the candidates, she appreciated the University Management, saying that she was impressed with the way both academic and non-teaching staff attended to issues at the various centres. While commenting on the outcome of the exercise, one of the candidates; Mr. Olukayode Adegbulugbe, a prospective student of the Department of Microbiology, stated that he had a subject combination of Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, adding that the examination was 100 per cent computer-based and the allotted time was 30 minutes. Also, Miss Miss Bankole applauded the orderliness of the examination, saying that it was well organised.
