KU8+: Prof. Egbewole Urges Nation’s Universities To Build Capacity To Sustain Changes

 

The Vice-Chancellor,  University of Ilorin,  Prof. Wahab Egbewole says the issue with the nation’s education sector is not about collapse as echoed in some quarters rather that of expansion but no capacity to sustain the changes.

The Vice-Chancellor made this assertion at the 2nd KU8+ Consortium International Conference on-going at the Al-Hikmah University, Atere Campus, Ilorin.

The KU8 are the federal, state and private universities situated in Kwara state: University of Ilorin, Al-Hikmah University, Kwara State University, Malete, Landmark University, Omu-aran, Summit University, Offa, Ahman Patigi University, Patigi,  Ojaja University,  Ilorin, Thomas Adewunmi University, Oko and Muhammad Kalmuad-deen University, Ogidi.

According to him, the nation’s University have added curriculum, we have expanded programmes, and critical areas of realities are no longer same as it used to be yet we are still struggling technologically and meeting up with the emerging technologies remains a puzzle.

“In the last one year, these realities have come to play out among stakeholders and in our universities hence the aptness of this year conference theme “Shaping Sustainable Future: Connecting Universities Through Joint Initiatives.”

“In addressing the theme, the keynote speaker and lead presenter, Prof Bamitale Omole, the former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo and, my Dear Sister, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure – Prof Temidayo Oladji, respectively, have been carefully chosen. As you are aware, they are eminently qualify, vast in the subject matter with long standing practical understanding of the Nigerian educational system.”

Prof Egbewole noted that the  internationalization of being as academic and digitalization of our operations are no longer negotiable, adding that the inevitability of the two in our world of today is indeed the defining moment.

“For us at Ku8+, connecting our universities is a goal and realizing the partnership that works for a sustainable future is a must.

“Universities all over the world are created for a purpose. Purpose is the reason for which something existed. It was Myle Munroe who popularized the statement that when purpose is unknown, abuse is inevitable.

“This exactly is the problem with our ivory towers today and even the quality of researches that we push to the public. The fundamental questions to ask again and again are: why are these universities created? What specific problem are the researches meant to solve other than statistic from promotion exercises?

He said the various universities must become stronger in building bridges via partnerships that leverage on collective resources and expertise to achieve our dream.

“At ku8+, we are not taking chances, upon identification of our common goal and values, in leveraging on shared resources and human capital development vis-à-vis training on grantsmanship, artificial intelligence and establishing research groups and linkages Adapt to changing needs and circumstances.

Egbewole recalled that at the last year conference, the keynote speaker referenced that the University of Brighton cutting off 103 academic staff on the account of skills, experience and expertise in delivering on the core mandate of the university.

Diversify your networks and partnerships
As we strive for sustainable future, the kind of strategic partnership we engage in will determine so much in our success stories. Diversity will no doubt enrich our perspectives of issues, brighten our ideas and promotes innovations.

The keynote speaker and former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University,  Prof. Bamitale Omole in his presentation urged the University Vice-Chancellor to always think without the box and go all out to attract funding from the industries and stakeholders.

He advised the University administrators to review their curriculum to meet the industry’s challenges and needs, saying that this will make the students after their graduation employable and employers of labour’s.

============