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Tag: Sulyman Abdulkareem

  • Unilorin to admit 12,000 candidates for 2019/2020 academic session

    Authorities of the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) have began lobbying the National Universities Commission (NUC) for increase in the existing admission quota allotted the institution initially pegged at 10,900, it was learnt

    In deed Vice Chancellor of the institution Prof Sulyman AbdulKareem revealed that Unilorin would admit about 12,000 candidates for the 2019/2020 academic session.

    Prof Abdulkareem said the move was to accommodate huge number of admission seekers, particularly now that Unilorin has become one of the most subscribed citadels of learning in the country.

    Speaking at the annual breaking of fast (Iftar) with reporters in Ilorin, Abdulkareem disclosed that his goal was to have limitless admission quota but for NUC and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) regulatory activities.

    The VC stated that the allocation of admission quota for students was dependent on carrying capacity and facilities on each campus of the universities.

    He added that the main challenge his administration was grappling with was how to provide enough classrooms because of increase in the number of students on campus.

    Abdulkareem noted that the university was currently making use of available large lecture theatres to accommodate the students, adding that he had reached out to the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND) for support in building large lecture halls.

    He maintained that the institution had provided sufficient gadgets in the lecture theatres on campus to make lecture delivery easy for both lecturers and students.

    Said he: “My goal as Vice-Chancellor is to have limitless admission quota but we know that is regulated by NUC, and they usually base that on facilities on campus. I must disclose that for 10 years, I was admission Chairman for University of Ilorin.

    Read Also: Unilorin to build four lecture theatres, toilets

    “So, I remember many times I carried message to JAMB and NUC to solicit for increase in our quota. Even at that, today the normal quota is 10,900 but they are going to give room for alteration and allow us to admit for a session not more than 12,000 Students.

    “Our biggest problem is the 100 Level courses that have large number of students, especially if you look at Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Biology that all 100 Level students must take in very large number.

    “Till now, we have been having problem. But lately in this session, what we have been doing is using our big Lecture Theatre, Multipurpose Theatre and having enough chairs. I thought I was doing something new but when I got to London, I was told that this is the classroom of the future. If you go to that multipurpose theatre now, we have brought in enough gadgets to make lecture delivery easy for the lecturers and for the students to learn.

    “The issue though is that we cannot go on increasing the number, and I have been soliciting for TETFUND assistance to have large lecture theatres that can accommodate large class size. But they are also advising us that when a class gets too large, it is very difficult for lecturers to monitor.”

  • Unilorin VC decries rate of drug abuse among youths

    Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, on Monday in Ilorin lamented the rising cases of drug abuse among youths in the country.

    Abdulkareem made this known at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Dawa Holiday Programme jointly organised by some Muslim organisations known as The Companion, The Criterion and The Dawn for selected Muslim youths from five states of the federation.

    He said that as parents and guardians, it was incumbent on them to inculcate in their wards character in upbringing

    “Character is the first thing we have to work upon, but unfortunately we have totally neglected it. Now, we are having another menace in the society.

    “Our children are on drugs. I can’t even smoke a cigarette talk less of drinking wine or getting intoxicated. But Muslim youths are getting into that now.

    “And I believe it is because our mothers and our parents are not working on them hard enough,” he said.

    “Character is what eventually makes a human being and attitude is your character.’’

    The vice-chancellor appealed to mothers to work harder in the training and upbringing of their children.

    Read Also: ASUU strike: Varsity teachers beg Buhari to show mercy

    Abdulkareem urged Muslim youths to use the Quran as their guide and allow it to reflect in their character.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Bilkisu Oniyangi, described the programme as part of the extra-curricular activities required to stimulate the social wellbeing of the youth.

    Oniyangi advised against drug abuse while appealing to the youths who attended the programme to be good ambassadors by relaying the theme and messages of the campaign to other youths on good character.

    National Amir of The Dawn, Nurein Balogun, said that the camping programme was designed as a platform to mentor and unite Muslim youths.

  • 103 Student bag first class in Unilorin

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor  Sulyman Abdulkareem, on Friday said that the university produced 103 first class students in 2017/2018 academic session.

    Abdulkareem announced the figure in Ilorin at a press conference to mark the beginning of the 34th convocation ceremonies of the university.

    According to him, the university will graduate a total of 12,108 students at the convocation to take place on Tuesday.

    He said that 10, 330 would be awarded first degrees and diplomas, while 1, 778 would be awarded higher degrees and postgraduate diplomas.

    The vice-chancellor said that 2,553 students would graduate with second class (upper division), 5,750, second class (lower division), and 1,660, third class, while 36 would graduate with pass.

    He said that seven law students from the university made first class grade in the Nigerian Law School, Abuja.

    Read Also: US envoy for UNILORIN’s 34th convocation lecture

    Abdulkareem hailed the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for supporting the university’s efforts in capacity building.

    “The university, through the Centre for International Education’s facilitation, attracted over N16 million as TETFund grants to sponsor staff members to different parts of the world for international conferences,” he said.

    He added that the university was noted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board as the Nigerian university with the highest number of international student enrollment, with about 318 foreign students from 15 countries.

    The vice chancellor said that the university had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian Army on the invention and development of polymer composite for strategic and protective defence.

    He disclosed that the university invented a bullet-proof gadget which had been tested and accepted by the Nigerian Army.

  • VCN inducts UNILORIN 17 vet. graduates

    The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN)on Wednesday inducted the first set graduates of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of University of
    Ilorin ( UNILORIN ) into the veterinary profession.

    At the induction, 17 new baked veterinary medical doctors took oath of office.

    Registrar, VCN Josiah Kantiyok performed the oath taking ceremony on the inductees.

    Dr Kantiyok urged the inductees to abide by the oath and regard vet medicine as a noble profession.

    Earlier, Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Sulyman Abdulkareem said that the philosophy that underpinned the establishment of the faculty in 2009 was to produce veterinary surgeons ‘who are capable of taking veterinary practice into the 21st century and well beyond.’

    He added that “it was our desire that the veterinarians we would be producing would be ‘highly competent and motivated to enjoy practicing
    veterinary medicine with the required skills that will enhance livestock production, promote public health and preventive medicine.’

    “There is no doubt today that the inductees are the gratifying evidence of the full realization of our objectives. So, we all deserve the honour today.

    Read Also: US envoy for UNILORIN’s 34th convocation lecture

    “The inductees of today, representing the first set of the tangible outcome of our commitment, indeed, deserve the honour and recognition
    we are formally bestowing on them because the VCN had examined the standards of knowledge and skills we had offered you in this university.”

    On the inductees, Prof Abdulkareem said “to our lucky inductees of today, I am happy to celebrate with you and your parents on this
    accomplishment. Today’s ceremony is a formal and dignified celebration of your certification as a professional doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM).

    “It is therefore, a great honour that you are being inducted into a noble profession with this ceremony. With this ceremony today, you are being granted membership of veterinary profession in Nigeria.

    “There is no doubt, therefore, that today’s ceremony is going to mark a significant and memorable milestone in your career as vet doctors.”

  • Unilorin female basketball team to represent Nigeria in Ethiopia

    The University of Ilorin’s female 3×3 Basketball team has been selected as one of the two female teams to represent Nigeria at the 9th African University Games holding at Mekelle University, Ethiopia, from July 1 to July 7.

    The institution’s Bulletin issued on Monday said that Bola Orodele, Secretary-General, Nigerian University Games Association ( NUGA ), dropped the hint in a letter he sent to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem.

    It stated: “Mr Orodele informed the vice-chancellor that the university’s female basketball team is lqualified to represent Nigeria, after emerging as runner up at the recently-concluded national competition in Abuja.

    Orodele noted that the best two female teams at the Ethiopian tournament in July will represent Africa at the World University tournament holding later in the year in China.

    Read Also: Unilorin VC advises spending much on social media

    The Bulletin also indicated that Abdulkareem had inaugurated the National Universities Staff Sports Games, ( NUSSA ), Games Organising Committee, for the event scheduled for September.

    According to the vice-chancellor, the hosting of NUSSA has been awarded to the institution.

    He said that the institution’s management would provide 100 per cent logistics to the committee, to ensure a successful hosting of the event.

    Abdulkareem called on the Committee, headed by Prof. Uche Eke of the Faculty of Physical Sciences to plan ahead, toward a hitch-free event.

    NAN

  • Unilorin will not join strike – VC

    Unilorin will not join strike – VC

    The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin ( UNILORIN ), Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, says in spite of the challenges posed by the ongoing nationwide non-academic staff strike and fuel crisis, the university will not join the strike.

    Abdulkareem made this assertion on Monday in Ilorin at a three-day unscheduled visit to the various faculties of the university to monitor the ongoing registration of fresh students.

    Speaking at the Faculty of Physical Sciences, the vice-chancellor said his administration was determined to work for a near seamless take-off of academic activities.

    He said the ongoing strike of the non-academic staff was a challenge to everybody.

    The vice-chancellor said he had made several visits to Abuja to sort-out delays in the payment of earned allowances of both the academic and non- academic staff.

    Read also: Imafidon and Unilorin

    He noted that today his efforts were yielding fruits, adding that the goal of the University was to ensure academic stability, so that students graduate at the right time.

    Abdukareem commended all the staff of the University for keeping the academic calendar running in spite of fuel crisis pains and ongoing nationwide non-academic strike.

    He said the university administration recognised the authorities of the labour unions both locally and nationally, and would desire obedient workers who recognise and reference authorities no matter how inconvenient.

    He however, noted that peace would soon be restored in the education sector.

    “But while negotiations are ongoing, let’s go the extra mile to keep our calendar running,” he pleaded.

    In his remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Gabriel Olatunji, who was also, among the team that visited the faculties, suggested that faculties should adapt to the current challenges.

    Olatunji further suggested that the Faculty of Agriculture should split the registration centres to five in order to reduce the long queues observed at the faculty.

    He also advised that it was possible to screen fresh students using youth corps members and PhD students and thus stick to the academic registration deadlines despite non-availability of some workers.

    The Dean of Agriculture, Prof Kola Joseph, listed delays in uploading registration courses by level advisers; delays in clearing students from Central Admission Office and poor internet connectivity as the challenges facing the faculty.

    Others are shortage of manpower and paucity of funds among others. He urged the university management to send more officers to assist the faculty in the registering of the students.

    NAN

  • Uninterrupted academic calendar sacrosanct – UNILORIN VC

    Uninterrupted academic calendar sacrosanct – UNILORIN VC

    Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin ( UNILORIN ), Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, said that the uninterrupted academic calendar of the institution he described as the hallmark of the University, remained sacrosanct.

    Abdulkareem said this on Wednesday while presiding over the first Senate meeting of UNILORIN.

    He solicited the support of the university Senate in his mission to move the institution to greater heights.

    The vice-chancellor promised to sustain and improve on the tempo of progress witnessed in the university and build on the achievements of successive administration of the institution.

    In his address, entitled “Your Support is Our Victory’’, Abdulkareem said the continued stability of the university was sacrosanct.

    “We have enjoyed it for the past 17 years and it has given us an image that draws the largest number of admission seekers within and outside our country to us.

    “It is one of the identities that make us different and better than the others in Nigeria,’’ the UNILORIN Vice Chancellor said.

    According to him, the continued stability of this great university remains non-negotiable.

    The vice-chancellor said he was committed to championing the drive toward ensuring that the university becomes more reputable for research outputs, which could change the world for the better.

    “This is achievable if we have a renewed energy, devotion, faith, attitude and ethos that can rekindle our unique UNILORIN spirit for attaining greater heights.’’

    He said that he was committed to the promotion of staff and students’ welfare as well as sustaining the infrastructure development of the university.

    The vice-chancellor also mentioned strategies which he intended to adopt over the next five years.

    He said his administration was committed to re-orientation of staff for improved productivity, students’ attitude and commitment toward academic excellence and promotion of healthy as well as effective collaboration, among others.

  • UNILORIN graduates 9,018 students

    UNILORIN graduates 9,018 students

    The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin ( UNILORIN ), Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, on Friday reminded the 9,018 graduating students of the university to brace up to the new challenges providence might likely bring their ways.

    Abdukareem said this during a convocation lecture preparatory to the 33rd Convocation for the 2016/2017 Graduation of the university in Ilorin.

    “As you step out of this hall, probably thinking erroneously that the struggle has ended.

    “I must caution that the majority of you, especially those of you that have humble background, will begin a life of another struggle.

    “But you should not fret, but be prepared to brace up to the new challenges of life.

    “The only way to win the struggle is to be purposeful and ingenious,’’ he advised.

    The don further said the graduating students must gear up to persevere, adding that gone were the days employers waited on convocation arena with assorted job offers.

    He explained that the university produced 89 First Class graduates, 1,932 Second class Upper Division, 3,727 Second Class Lower Division, 1,309 Third Class, and 117 Pass.

    Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of the institution, Dr Abdullahi Oyekan, said the university had good reasons to celebrate in view of its monumental success records.

    Oyekan, therefore, urged philanthropists, well meaning Nigerians, and non-governmental organisations to contribute to the development of the institution in order for it to serve the country better.

    He also called on the graduating students to use the knowledge and skills acquired from the university to improve themselves and their society.

    NAN