UNILORIN FILE UNILORIN Produces 41 First Class Graduates At 2013 Convocation The University of Ilorin will, on Monday, October 21, 2013, play host to the former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Walter C. Carrington, who is billed to deliver the flagship lecture at the University‘s 29th Founder’s Day and Convocation ceremonies. Mr. Carrington, who was the chief representative of the US President in Nigeria between 1993 and 1997, will speak on the topic ‘On the Dawn of Nigeria’s Second Century: Challenges of a New Generation’. The former envoy, who is married to a Nigerian, is renowned for his power of oratory and his views are well respected in the pro-democracy and civil rights circles in the country. The Convocation Lecture, a major highlight of the annual convocation ceremonies of the University, provides a platform for accomplished personalities in the academia, the polity and diplomatic circles as well as respected statesmen to discuss current and pertinent national and international issues with a view to proffering robust and informed opinions to steer public discourse for the benefits of humanity. Other activities lined up for the 29th Convocation Ceremonies, according to a statement by the Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Obafemi, include: the Vice-Chancellor’s Press Briefing, which comes up on Monday, October 14; the Convocation Play, entitled ‘Adesewa’! The King’s Daughter, a Dance Theatre written by J. O. Ojuade, on Tuesday, October 15; and the Convocation proper scheduled for Tuesday, October 22 and Wednesday, October 23, 2013. A total of 6,713 students will be receiving the first and Postgraduate degrees as well as diplomas in various disciplines at this year’s convocation ceremonies. Of these, 5,063 are first degree graduands, 756 are Masters degree graduands, 95 Ph.Ds and 84 Postgraduate diplomas. Forty-one of the 5063 first degree graduands are passing out with the First Class honours degrees while a total of 1,088 are graduating with Second Class Upper degrees, 2,435 graduands will be awarded the Second Class Lower degree, 1,082 will bag the Third Class degree while 214 will get the Pass grade. A further breakdown of the performance of the graduands shows that 25 of the First Class graduates are from the Faculty of Science, five from the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, while four each are from the Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences respectively. The Faculty of Engineering and Technology produced two First Class graduands this year while the Faculty of Law produced one First Class graduate, the first time since the establishment of the Faculty. The Faculty of Science also produced the highest total number of graduating students – (1,258) followed by the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences (942), the Faculty of Education (871), and the Faculty of Arts (628). Others are: Faculty of Engineering and Technology (314); Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences (246); Faculty of Agriculture (244); Faculty of Law (210); Faculty of Clinical Sciences (203); the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences (147) and 687 from the Institute of Education (Sandwich). UNILORIN 2013 New Students To Tet Personal Computers All newly admitted students of the University of Ilorin, UNILORIN will have a PC tablet each to boost the Institution‘s ICT drive and enhance e-communication between the students and their lecturers. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, disclosed this last Wednesday (October 2, 2013) while answering questions on a special UNILORIN 89.3 FM live interview programme, ‘Talk to the VC’, to mark his one year in office. The media chat, moderated by Segun Alabi of Unilorin 89.3 FM, has Abiodun Fagbemi of The Guardian, Layiwola Olarenwaju, Daily Sun; Arowona Abdulazeez, Nigerian Pilot; Hammed Shittu, This Day, and Olusegun Adebayo of Youth Spring news magazine, as members of the interview panel. Prof. Ambali said, “We hope to start a new era with those coming in because we have to empower them to face the challenges of the ICT world,” adding that “all the curriculum and courseware will be on the tablet so that you have the whole classroom on your hand.” The Vice-Chancellor charged the students to concentrate on their primary reason for coming to the University, which is learning, noting that his administration is committed to providing a comfortable environment for the students with adequate accommodation facilities on campus. Prof. Ambali also noted that the University was committed to producing graduates endowed with requisite entrepreneurship skills in order to prepare them for the larger society. The Vice-Chancellor noted that the University, in addition to reviewing its academic curriculum every five years to reflect current trends, is partnering professional bodies and industries to ensure that graduates are exposed to skills that will be of value to them and to the development of the society at large. He disclosed that the Federal Government, through the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFund), has approved funds for the establishment of a permanent Entrepreneurship Centre in the University. The Professor of Veterinary Medicine identified improved security on campus, staff development, infrastructural developments, and improved internet connectivity as some of the achievements recorded in the last one year under his leadership. Prof. Ambali also noted that significant steps are being taken to boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the University through such ventures as the University Plantation and the Zoo as well as through alumni contributions. The Vice-Chancellor then expressed appreciation to staff members of the University for their commitment and dedication towards the development of the institution. Describing the journey so far as “a good experience”, Professor Ambali appreciated God for making it possible for him to have been able to make a difference in the lives of staff and students of the University. The Vice-Chancellor, who described leadership as living by example, attributed the peaceful atmosphere that pervades the University campus to the transparency in the management of the University affairs and the fact that the authority always carries all stakeholders along in all its dealings. Prof. Ambali pointed out that the contributions of the University of Ilorin has been widely acknowledged in terms of research output, stable academic calendar, and the production of highly skilled and disciplined graduates. He noted that in the last 12 months, security of lives and property has been improved upon, and, as such, people can move around freely while members of staff can comfortably stay in their various offices and laboratories without fear of any security threat. The Vice Chancellor submitted that the University has been able to sponsor staff to conferences, improve on the access to internet connectivity as well as support the students in carrying out their educational and social activities, adding that the University is working to be one of the topmost Universities in the world. Projecting into the future, Prof. Ambali pledged to continue to support staff welfare, security of lives and property on campus, and provision of a favourable environment for learning and research, and improvement on lecture delivery by providing better lecture rooms. UNILORIN Gets N5m Support From First Bank The First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. has donated a sum of N5 million to the University of Ilorin towards the success of its forthcoming 29th Founder’s Day and Convocation Ceremonies. Presenting the cheque for the amount to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, last Friday (October 4, 2013) on behalf of the bank’s management, the Group Head, Public Sector, Mr. Babatunde Salami, said that the bank was “happy to be a major partner in the success of the annual Convocation of the University and we would always be willing to support the University in her landmark and developmental projects towards the development of the institution as we are currently doing in other institutions.” Mr. Salami thanked the University management for allowing the bank to render financial services to the Institution, saying, “We believe that this symbiotic partnership will engender excellent financial services to the entire University community. He however disclosed that First Bank was seeking further partnership with the University in developmental projects such as infrastructure and welfare loan for staff mortgage financing. In his response, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ambali, thanked the bank for consistently supporting the University, saying,“You are always the first to call on us and offer support especially during our Convocations. You have been and continue to be a good friend of the University. We appreciate what you have given to us.” Assuring the bank that the money would be properly utilised, Prof. Ambali commended the proposed mortgage finance package put in place by the bank, noting that the University places high premium on staff welfare. Other members of the bank’s team that visited the Vice-Chancellor were: Mrs. Abimbola B. Olanipekun, Mr. Faleye A. Shola, and Mr. Gegele Abdullahi. With the Vice-Chancellor to receive the team were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Yisa Fakunle; a member of the University Governing Council, Prof. Y. A. Quadri; the Chairman of the Ceremonials Committee, Prof. J. O. Atteh; the Bursar, Mr. Abiodun Saka Yusuf; the Librarian, Dr. J. O. Omoniyi; the Director of Works, Mr. M. S. Sanni; the Deputy Bursar, Mr. B. O. Badmus; and the Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Oct 2013 15:16:39 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015