The VC, Prof. Olusola Oyewole (Standing) addressing the Dean, PG School, Prof. Steve Afolami (2nd Right) during the VC’s familiarization visit to the School while from left are the Bursar, Mr. Moses Ilesanmi; DVC (D), Prof. Felix Salako; DVC (A), Prof. Toyin Arowolo and the Ag. Librarian, Dr. (Mrs.) Mulikat Salaam.
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole has commended the Postgraduate School for its contributions to the development of the University.
He, however, tasked the Dean of the School, Professor Steve Afolami, to devote more efforts towards attracting more foreign students into FUNAAB.
This move, the Vice-Chancellor said, will further boost the profile and the quality of postgraduate courses offered by the University.
Professor Oyewole made the appeal while addressing members of staff of the Postgraduate School, who played host to him during his maiden familiarization tour to the College.
The Vice-Chancellor said, “The task at hand is how to make the PG School a model globally, that will be very visible everywhere. To do this, we need to invest more on capacity building of your staff, many of whom should go for overseas training in order to make them better. And we need to make conscious efforts at attracting more foreign students. We must ensure enough visibility”.
He also restated the need to guarantee the quality for academic programmes offered by the School. “It is not enough to say we have Ph. D and M. Sc programmes, it is the quality that is key and important. And that is why we will soon inaugurate a Quality Assurance Team for the Institution”, he added.
The Vice-Chancellor specially commended Professor Afolami for providing what he called “disciplined leadership” and challenged him to look inward, to garner initiatives that will move the University to greater heights.
“I know the trajectory of the Postgraduate School, I know what it was before you took-over as Dean, I also know the present crop of staff. And, I am impressed that you have moved the Postgraduate School to greater heights. A lot of students have been attracted to the school because they believe the leadership is not compromised and the calendar has been stabilized,” he added.
Earlier, Professor Afolami had requested for specific needs, which included the resuscitation of Bench Fees, provision of staff bus and official car for the Secretary to PG School, Internet connectivity and tuition-free incentive for First Class graduates.
Speaking at the occasion, the Secretary/Deputy Registrar, Mr. Obafemi Oginni disclosed that student enrolment, which stood at 73 for Postgraduate Diploma students, 252 Master students and 79 Ph.D students in the 2008/2009 session, had increased astronomically to a total of 304 Postgraduate students, 38 Ph.D, 164 Academic Masters, 61 Professional Masters and 78 Diplomas, who graduated during the 20th Convocation Ceremony.