Sen. Abiola Ajimobi First Technical University, Ibadan, has concluded plans to offer 13 First Class Engineering graduates automatic employment. This was made known by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adesola Ajayi, at the institution’s convocation in Ibadan where 165 students graduated. The institution was formerly First Technical University, but was renamed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
At the event, Makinde promised to release an outstanding N1 billion grant to the university, which had in recent years largely been fending for itself – except for the intervention of the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFund). Makinde also unveiled another scholarship package for the university, while promising that his government would build a health facility on campus.
The VC said why the convocation was symbolic: “The historical relevance of this second convocation ceremony is that it marks the graduation of the pioneer set of engineering students. It is worthy of mention that despite the prolonged COVID-19 lockdown and the associated challenges, Tech-U has kept faith with the ideals of its establishment by ensuring that students graduate on record time, exactly five years after the admission of engineering students in 2018 and after four years for those science students admitted in 2019 for four-year degree programmes.”
He said the institution had leveraged ICT infrastructure to commission the development of applications that make academic, administrative, financial, and student services easier, faster and accessible online. Ajayi said from the next semester, it would be possible for many of the management and other staff to discharge some of their functions remotely and in real time thereby increasing efficiency and freeing our time to pursue and explore partnerships with the larger society.
The management has sustained our avowed commitment to adopt global best practices. The Senate of the University has approved and continues to nurture a dual mode of instruction including up to 30 per cent online instruction in its regular programmes,” he added.
The VC said students had undertaken many projects beneficial to the community and the university. We have developed product prototypes among which are electronic circuits, abuwe soap, or ose dudu which has a higher medicinal value and is available commercially. All disinfectants and hand wash used in this University are produced by us. We have developed protocols to utilise local wastes to cultivate and produce mushrooms under ordinary ambient room conditions.