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Tag: FUTA

  • FUTA forestry students tag trees

    FUTA forestry students tag trees

    As part of its contribution to the beautification of the environment and education, the International Forestry Students Association, (IFSA), Federal University Technology, Akure (FUTA) chapter, has embarked on the tagging of all exotic and indigenous trees that dot the university campus.

    The name tagging exercise is one of the activities marking the 2015 IFSA Week.

    Flagging off the event, the Dean, School of Agriculture & Agricultural Technology, (SAAT), FUTA, Prof Shadrach Akindele, lauded the students’ initiative, describing it as a noble drive worthy of emulation by students of other universities.

    The Head of Department, Forestry and Wood Technology, Prof Tunde Ajayi, said the name tagging would enable members of the FUTA community and visitors to identify the names and uses of the trees at a glance.  He explained that some of the trees were planted while some were pollinated.

    IFSA President, Opeyemi Adaramoye, said the students decided to tag the trees to beautify the environment, broaden knowledge and give practical expression to what the students are learning.

    The association vice president, Rebecca Adelola, is optimistic that the project would make the students and their course of study relevant locally and globally.

    IFSA is a worldwide body with headquarters in Europe while the Nigerian headquarters is domiciled in FUTA.

     

  • FUTA, UK varsity sign MoU

    FUTA, UK varsity sign MoU

    The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with De Montfort University, (DMU) Leicester, United Kingdom.

    The FUTA Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola and the Pro Vice-Chancellor for DMU, James Gardner, signed the aggreement for their institutions to collaborate on academic and other related matters.

    Under the agreement FUTA workers and students will have opportunities to undertake knowledge sharing and skills development that will improve creativity, networking, cultural integration, leadership and team work.

    The benefiting departments in FUTA are Architecture and Industrial Design.

    The MoU gives students possibility of transferring from third year of undergraduate programme to complete studies at DMU. There are also provisions for six-month Industrial Training, 10 days short workshops/courses in summer, winter or Easter break to cover design and theory in Architecture, with a field trip to a continental European city.

    Members of staff on the other hand would get opportunity to undergo their PhD in full time, split size six months or by distance learning; co-host conference on Tropical Architecture, conduct adjunct lecturing via Skype and enjoy visiting fellowships.

    The collaboration, an initiative of Dr Dorcas  Ayeni, an alumnae of DMU School of Architecture  who is a lecturer in FUTA’s Department of Architecture, had inputs from  the Head, School of Architecture, DMU, Prof Raymond Quek,  the FUTA Vice Chancellor, and the Director of the International Office, FUTA, Prof Afolabi Akindahunsi.

    FUTA is also collaborating many other universities from across the world including the Fort Valley University, Georgia, United States where the first set of FUTA students are expected for their one year complementary studies in August; and the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, USA where the second set of FUTA students are already undergoing their one year complementary studies.

  • FUTA is 11th institution to honour Afe Babalola

    The selfless effort of Aare Afe Babalola, (SAN) towards the establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in the 1980s was rewarded at the university’s convocation last Saturday where he was conferred with the honorary Doctor of Management degree.

    The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) shone like a million stars at the colourful ceremony as his citation was read amid reverberating applause in an event that featured the crème-de-la-crème of the society.

    FUTA is the 11th institution in Nigeria to honour the legal icon, farmer, and educationist.

    Others include: Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti (Fellow,1997), College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti (Fellow,1998), University of  Ado-Ekiti (Doctor of Law, 2000), Nigerian Institute of Advance Legal Studies (FNIALS) (Fellow, 2002), Kogi State University (Doctor of Letters, 2012), University of Lagos (Doctor of Law, 2013), University of Jos (Doctor of Law, 2013).

    A November 17, 2014 letter with Reference Number FUTA/REG/CAD/HDC/71 signed the Registrar and Secretary of Council of FUTA Dr. M.O. Ajayi, predicated the award on Babalola’s “significant contributions to the growth and development of this university (FUTA) and the nation”.

    Babalola had, in 1982, waived a N5 million legal in exchange for a federal institution to be established in the then Ondo State. The Alhaji Shehu Shagari-led Federal Government acceded to Babalola’s request by citing the Federal Polytechnic in Ado-Ekiti. But when the (Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) government under the leadership of Governor Michael Adekunle Ajasin heard of the move, the late Ajasin quickly announced the establishment of the Obafemi Awolowo University (now Ekiti State University) also in Ado-Ekiti. The Federal Government then moved the polytechnic to Akure. But soon afterwards when FUTA was sighted Akure, the polytechnic, which Afe single-handedly fought for, was moved to Ado-Ekiti, Babalola’s homestead.

    Aare Babalola, who was the first Chairman of the Governing Council of the polytechnic, invested his resources to ensure the effective take-off of the institution.

    After his seven-year tenure as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) – during which he was voted the best Pro-Chancellor twice – Babalola founded ABUAD to entrench functional and reformatory education in quality all areas.

  • Fed Govt seeks impactful research as FUTA graduates 6,085

    Fed Govt seeks impactful research as FUTA graduates 6,085

    The Federal government has called on Nigerian universities to be committed to conducting relevant research to address the immediate technological, economic, social, educational and health needs of the country.

    President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the Visitor to the Federal University of Technology, Akure made this call at the combined 25th and 26th Convocation for 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 sessions at the new auditorium of the university last Friday and Saturday.

    Dr. Jonathan who was represented by Prof Peter Azikwe Onwualu of the National Universities Commission (NUC) said:

    “Universities play critical roles in the attainment of societal growth and national transformation.  I wish to state unequivocally that the expectation of government and the Nigerian public is for FUTA to continue to be a model for other universities in terms of the quality and uniqueness of its classrooms, libraries, laboratories and students’ hostels.  All these create the ambience for a good teaching and learning environment, which altogether play significant roles in the teaching and learning process.”

    The President also commended the leadership of the university for doing a good job.

    “Let me commend the leadership of the university, under Prof Adebiyi Daramola.  I have carefully monitored University’s rate of development and transformation in the last three and half years of his assumption of office as Vice-Chancellor.  I have noted with keen interest the massive investment in facility, infrastructure upgrade, and a tremendous improvement on teaching and learning environment.  I am aware of the current effort towards internationalizing the University, which has led to a number of vibrant collaborations with some American, German and South African Universities involving staff and students’ exchange.  I am also not unaware of FUTA’s rise in global ranking, now coming among best 100 universities in Africa and among the top 10 in Nigeria.  I have information that all academic programmes of this university are fully accredited by the National Universities Commission and appropriate professional bodies,” he said.

    The President counseled the graduands to live up to the quality of their training by working hard, remaining focused and patriotic.

    In his address, the Vice-Chancellor thanked the Federal Government for releasing funds under the NEEDS assessment initiative. He pledged to utilize the funds judiciously.

    Daramola praised the Council, members of staff and students contributing to FUTA’s success.

    “The modest success FUTA has achieved over the years is possible because of clear vision and excellent team work.  Management, staff and students work as a team for common purpose under the purposeful direction of the Governing Council with Dr. Mohammed Shata leading,” he said.

    In his address, the Chancellor, HRH, Alhaji Isa Mustafa, Agwai I, Emir of Lafia, described FUTA as the best technology-focused university in Nigeria.

    “I am proud to say that you are one of the luckiest Nigerian graduates who attended a University with world-class academics, very rich academic curricula and of course, the best University of Technology in Nigeria.

    At the Convocation 2,095 graduated from the 2012/2013 session with 17 in First Class grade; while 2,229 graduated from the 2013/2014 session with 35 in First Class grade.  1,761 were conferred with the Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees. Obinna Michael Okpara of the Department of Bio Chemistry emerged the overall best student.

    The highlight of the event was the honorary awards conferred on Legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola and Alhaji Basrir Aminu, Chairman Board of Directors of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

  • FUTA graduates 6,088 Friday

    Fifty-five of the 6,088 students graduating from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) this year, made First Class honours.

    Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Adebiyi Daramola said at a press briefing heralding the 25th and 26th convocation of the institution that the graduands comprise of the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 sessions.

    Daramola, who spoke through the Deputy VC, (Academics) Prof Emmanuel Fasakin , explained that the convocation, holding tomorrow, is combined because the 32-year old institution could not hold the 2012/2013 edition last year due to the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    Of the total, 2,094 graduands are for the 2012/2013, while the 2,229 are for the 2013/2014 session.

    He said further that 4,323 would be awarded First Degree, 1,028, Postgraduate Diplomas, 554 Master’s degrees, 111 Diplomas, and 72 Ph.Ds.

    Among the first degree recipients, 1,236 made Second Class Upper; 2,136 , Second Class Lower; 717, Third Class; and 84, Pass.

    Honorary awards would also be conferred on Legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola, Alhaji Basrir Aminu, and Prof Paul Vlek.

    Projects to be inaugurated as part of the event include: 2,250-capacity auditorium, students recreation centre, security office building, and block of offices, among others.

  • FUTA don leads UN’s Zero Gravity Project

    The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has been selected to participate in the United Nations Zero-Gravity Instrument Project, ZGIP.

    A statement by Takao Doi, the United Nations expert on Space Applications in its Outer Space Affairs Office noted that Dr. Daniel Juwon Arotupin, one of FUTA’s leading Microbiologists and an Associate Professor would be the lead participants in the ZGIP of the UN to be domiciled in Akure.

    Takao routed the letter announcing the selection of FUTA through the Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Nations in Vienna, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja which notified the Federal Ministry of Education which conveyed the good news to the FUTA Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola.

    Takao said FUTA would get a grant of a non-commercial donation of a micro-gravity simulation instrument called Clinostat alongside other supplementary items to enable Arotupin perform proposed scientific educational and related activities under the aegis of the UN office of Outer Space Affairs.

    Daramola congratulated the recipient on his solo representation of Nigeria on the project. He said from Dr Arotupin’s antecedents, the UN has found a tested academic to drive the important research project.

    The ZGIP was initiated in 2012 as part of the Human Space Technology Initiative (HSTI) capacity-building activities, in which a fixed number of microgravity-simulating instruments, called Clinostats, were distributed to selected schools and institutions worldwide.

    The major objectives as stated by the coordinators include to: “provide opportunities for students and researchers to observe natural phenomena of samples under simulated microgravity conditions on the ground, and to inspire them to undertake further study in the field of space science and technology. The project is also aimed at creating datasets of plant species with their gravity response, which would contribute to design future space experiments, and to the advancement of microgravity research.”

     

  • FUTA, others collaborate on food security

    The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), is joining the University of Alicante, Spain and four other universities in Africa to collaborate on Capacity for Food Research Project.

    The European Union-sponsored project titled, Integrated Soil Fertility Management for Food Security:  Matching Capacities in Anglophone West African Nations with local needs, is aimed at fostering capacity building and regional integration in Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) for food security in Anglophone West African Universities.

    Other collaborating universities in the project to be coordinated by the University of Alicante, are: University of Ghana, Accra; University of D Schang, Cameroon; Njala University, Sierra Leone; and University of The Gambia, Gambia.

    The project which has its Nigerian office in the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) building in FUTA, is also to develop targeted activities in ISFM for food security at local levels with a view to increasing capacity building towards sustainable food production.

    The FUTA Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola, said the research collaboration is in tandem with the drive by the university to continue to contribute meaningfully to evolving solutions to pressing societal problems.

    “We already have a lot of international collaborations through our centres like WASCAL, CEGIST, CERAD, CENT and others.  We also have a Centre of Excellence in Food Security.  And the team, led by Professor Mathew Oyun, which is driving this collaboration, comes highly recommended with a lot of research experiences”, Daramola said.

  • FUTA students off to United States

    The second batch of beneficiaries of the collaboration between the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), Tallahassee, United States (US) have departed for the US to complete their undergraduate programmes.

    The eight students would complete their progarmme at FAMU to earn FUTA certificate and would also be eligible for their Master’s and earn a FAMU postgraduate certificate.

    At a pre-departure event attended by the students, their parents and senior teaching staff, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Adebiyi Daramola, advised the FAMU class of 2014 to be upright and focus on their studies to achieve excellence in their academic pursuit.

    Describing the development as a matter for joy and pride to the university, Daramola reiterated the benefits of the exchange programme to FUTA, adding that it would give beneficiaries the opportunity to broaden their horizon and reshape their future and that of their country.

    Earlier, Daramola’s deputies (Academics), Prof Adedayo Fasakin, and (Development), Prof Tolulope Akinbogun, and the Registrar, Dr. Modupe Ajayi, congratulated the students.

    Fasakin traced the beginning of the 4+1+1 programme with FAMU  last year to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) approved by the university’s Senate and the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    He listed the award of scholarships, payment of in-state fees and opportunity for postgraduate studies as some of the benefits of the transfer programme.

     

  • FUTA students arrested for OPEC scholarship scam

    FUTA students arrested for OPEC scholarship scam

    Four graduates and two undergraduates of the Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State have been arrested for alleged fraud by the police.
    The suspects are Falade Oluwapelumi Ayotunde (25), Asaolu Victor (25), Awote Temitope Emax (27), Fajobi Olalekan (27) Bolatiri Emmanuel Onaopemipo (25) and
    Adebomi Oluwatosin (26).
    They were arrested by operatives of Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) for alleged internet fraud
    The suspects were also accused of being specialist in the unauthorized design of organisation’s websites and using them to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
    Police alleged that the suspects have defrauded their victims of up to over N5million .
    The suspects were arrested following a petition which PSFU received on August 22, 2013,from OPEC FUND for International Development.
    Police said the petitioner had alleged that a website designed as “OFID Scholarship Website” with OFID name and logo has been used to defraud innocent Nigerian applicants.
    On the website, applicants were required to pay N2,500.00 as application fee and over 2,000 applicants responded and paid the fees through the First Bank Account Number 2020874607 and Access Bank Account Number 0056941009 with the name OFID WSAS NG.
    The petitioner stated further that it was one of the victims that contacted OFID via facebook, accusing OFID of being complicit in the fraud.
    PSFU spokesperson, Ngozi Isintume- Agu, a Deputy Superintendent told The Nation that immediately the petition was received, operatives of the Cybercrime Section of the Unit swung into action and the mastermind of the fraud, one Falade Oluwapelumi Ayotunde was arrested.
    She said: “His arrest led to the arrest of five other syndicate members. Police investigation so far revealed that over 2,000 applicants paid the sum of N2,500.00 each into the two banks provided by the suspects and the principal suspect is the only signatory to both accounts”.
    Ayotunde is a from Akure, Ondo State and a 500Level Estate Management undergraduate student of FUTA.
    Police said the suspect has made a confessional statement.
    According to his statement, Ayotunde confessed that he designed the website of OFID WSAS (OPEC Fund for International Development for World Student Aid Scholarship) in June, 2012.

  • FUTA, FUL celebrate award

    FUTA, FUL celebrate award

    The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has praised its contingent to the National Mathematics competition held recently in Abuja for winning four medals (one silver and three bronze).

    The award winners are: Adenipekun Olatunde, Obideyi Boluwaji, Adara Emmanuel and Afolabi Opeyemi, while Dr Olusegun Olotu, Head of Department, Dr. T.O. Awodola and Mr. A.S. Afolabi, acted as team leaders.

    Addressing the team, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola,  praised them for doing FUTA proud.

    “I am proud FUTA has done it again. You are the Chike Obis of our time. You have proven to the world again that our institution is great.  On the part of management we will continue to support you,” he said.

    Similarly, the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) is celebrating the success of its students in an international inter-tertiary debate competition that took place in the Republic of Benin.

    The contingent of the two-year old university came third in the debate, organised by Impact Africa International in Cotonou.  Lupane University, Zimbabwe came first while the University of Lagos was second.

    The participants for the debate which is the sixth edition were drawn from 10 universities from three African countries comprising four from Nigeria, two, Zimbabwe, and three from Benin Republic.

    The debate titled:  “The post-2015 United Nations Development Agenda is Achievable” tested the research capability and ingenuity of students.

    FUL was represented by George Ayo a 200-Level student of History and International Studies and Miss Amadi Maryann, a 200-Level student of English and Literary Studies. The team was led by the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Suleiman Audu.

    Dignitaries from the participating countries on the occasion included Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Dr. Lawrence Obisakin who presented a lecture titled “Youth and unemployment in the post-2015 Development Agenda of the United Nations.”