Professor of Medicine and Parasitology, Tolu Odugbemi, completed his tenure as the foundation vice chancellor of the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) last month with a desire that the institution would rank among the best universities of technology in the world within a decade.
Odugbemi, who was employed to salvage the institution from pre-mature death in 2010 as a result of its inability to start operation three years after being issued an operating licence by the National Universities Commission (NUC), has prepared ground for his successor to achieve this aim.
In an interview, Odugbemi said the goal was the mandate given by the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, when he was appointed vice chancellor.
“The dream of His Excellency, the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko is to make OSUSTECH a model and one of the best universities of technology in the world. The management of OSUSTECH has therefore been making frantic effort to make the university truly world class and one that will compete favourably with other notable institutions across the globe.
Therefore, I desire to see OSUSTECH after five years to be ranked among the foremost universities of technology in Nigeria. I equally expect to see OSUSTECH in a decade’s time to be among the best universities of technology in the world where meaningful research outputs are being turned out for sustainable growth and development of the country,” he said.
In keeping with that goal, and with funding support of the government, Odugbemi said the university was able to recruit qualified workers, relocate to its permanent site in Igbokoda in record time, establish well-equipped laboratories and run the university farms, which have been crucial to the success of its entrepreneurship programme.
The university, under his watch, also encouraged research in areas relevant to local needs and enhanced its relationship with the host community, which benefits from the many products of the farms.
Odugbemi said: “OSUSTECH made history as one of the few universities in Nigeria that moved to its permanent site in a record time of two years after commencement of academic programmes in January, 2011. This was made possible with the support of Mr. Governor and his Government. All the laboratories in the university are well-equipped with modern and state-of-the-art equipment. Modern university is about teaching, learning, research and community service. To this end, we encourage research in applied sciences among staff in such areas as solar energy, biogas, fertilizer production and soap and cosmetics production.
“All the academic programmes being run in OSUSTECH have been accredited by the NUC. The University played host to the NUC accreditation teams between Monday, February, 25 and Wednesday, March 6, 2013. Industrial Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geophysics, Microbiology, Zoology, Botany, Fisheries and Computer Science had full accreditation while one programme, Biochemistry, had interim accreditation.
The various laboratories, equipment and facilities at the University Libraries and Farms were adjudged adequate during the accreditation exercise. Efforts are also underway to start off the Faculties of Agriculture and Engineering. The Academic Briefs for the proposed Facilities had been prepared and made ready for submission to the NUC for approval. The TETFund too, had started the furnishing and equipping of Engineering workshops and laboratories in the University.”
One area of success that the university currently enjoys is the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Leadership Training (CELT), which Odugbemi said provides training in 21 vocational skills for students once in a week. The centre has spawned products the university is now proud of, including its bottled fruit juice drink.
“The ultimate aim of this Centre is to inculcate practical training skills in our students order to make them job creators and positive contributors to socio-economic and political lives of the state and Nigeria at large. At the Centre, the students are exposed to over 21 skill trainings; and every Wednesday afternoon has been made lecture-free period to enable them learn any vocational skill or trade of their choice.
“Such trainings include bakery and confectionery, beads production, tailoring and fashion designing, drum-making, tie and dye production, weaving and production of “Aso-Oke”, sculptural works, welding, metal and fabrication, bottled and sachet water production etc. The University Farms too have been stocked with various poultry products, fish, pigs, goats and other cash crops to give practical agricultural trainings to the students.”
Odugbemi’s tenure was not without challenges. Earlier this year, students protested fee increment. Also a recession meant that the government owed salaries for some months. However, Odugbemi noted that the students had no reason to protest as the fees were not increased from N100,000 (indigenes) and N150,000 (non-indigenes) charged since inception.
As he departs from OSUSTECH, Odugbemi thanked all who worked with him to nurture the institution, and urged the university community to continue the pursuit of its vision. He also hoped that credible people would be appointed to run the university.
“We appreciate people of goodwill who have visited and commended the giant stride that OSUSTECH has made within the short time of its existence. To improve the university system, eminent and courageous persons with vast experience in university system should be appointed into key university positions. Such leaders should be focused, fair and firm with proven high level of integrity,” he said.
