FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, AKURE

Transcription

1 FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, AKURE ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, PROFESSOR ADEBIYI G. DARAMOLA, fnaae AT HIS INAUGURATION AS THE 6 TH SUBSTANTIVE VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, AKURE HELD ON THURSDAY 24 TH MAY 2012 IN THE CCE HILLTOP AUDITORIUM The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council Brig. Gen. Raji A. Rasaki (Rtd) Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Emmanuel Adedayo Fasakin Other Distinguished Members of the Governing Council The Registrar and Other Principal Officers My Lords Spiritual and Temporal Your Royal Majesties Top Government Functionaries Deans, Directors and Heads of Departments Distinguished Members of Senate and Congregation Members of Staff and Students Distinguished Guests and Friends of the University Gentlemen of the Press Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

2 It is with gratitude to Almighty God, humility and sense of responsibility that I stand before this august audience to present this acceptance address as the 6 th substantive Vice-Chancellor of this great institution, the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). I thank the Lord for making this day a reality, for sustaining the long established peace, tranquility and unity in this University, and for His guidance and support, which culminated in the successful completion of the selection process and my appointment as Vice-Chancellor by the Governing Council. I acknowledge, with profound appreciation and high reverence, the esteemed personage and leadership qualities of the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Brig. Gen. Raji A. Rasaki (Rtd). I acknowledge, with very high regards the efforts of Joint Council/Senate Selection Committee, and the contribution of every Member of Governing Council to the progress and development of this University, in particular towards the successful appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor. My very sincere recognition goes to the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Adedayo Fasakin and the other Principal Officers who have been paddling the canoe of this University since 8 th February, 2012 following the expiration of the tenure of 2

3 our 5 th substantive Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebisi M. Balogun on 7 th February, Let me specially acknowledge all our past Vice-Chancellors and Acting Vice-Chancellors in this University, starting from Late Professor T. I. Francis to Professor Albert A. Ilemobade, Professor Lawrence B. Kolawole, Professor E. Adeyinka Adeyemi, Professor Robert A. Ogunsusi, Professor Peter O. Adeniyi, Professor Adebisi M. Balogun and Professor E. Adedayo Fasakin. Indeed, these giants laboured so hard to lay the foundation for our collective success, hence, we stand tall today on their shoulders, integrity and worthy contributions. This has served as a veritable pedestal for us to telescope into the great future that lies ahead of us. Today is no doubt, a very historic day in my career and in the life of this University. For me, I am taking on a greater responsibility of service to humanity, and I am taking the lead in our collective struggle for a better and greater Federal University of Technology, Akure. I may surely not be the best or most qualified for this assignment, but it has pleased God to bestow the leadership of the University on me at this time in history. I want to specially commend the forthrightness, commitment and patriotism with which the Governing Council executed the selection processes which commenced with the declaration of vacancy and 3

4 advertisement for the position in August The democratic constitution of both the Search Team and the Selection Board was commendable, just as the high level of fairness, objectivity and merit maintained throughout the exercise is equally remarkable. It is on this note that I want to congratulate the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, as well as all members of this distinguished Council on this great feat, being the first time Council would exercise its constitutional powers of appointing the Vice-Chancellor in compliance with the University Autonomy Act (2007). I also congratulate the University s Senate once again for living up to the billing by producing yet another Vice-Chancellor for the University. Of what quality would our productivity and excellence have been had the Vice-Chancellor emerged from outside the University? I also want to commend the bravery and maturity of all colleagues and distinguished Professors with whom the office was contested. I thank them all for their support so far and will eternally be grateful for their prayers, anticipated cooperation and contributions to the development of our University. As the saying goes, two good heads are better than one, let alone eight good heads, I need you all in this daunting task. Today, we are, as a University, starting a new phase in the progressive development of our dear University. We are well placed on the 4

5 platform of readiness for greater change and progress because we will surely be guided by the attainments, failures and challenges of the past, based on institutional memory and lessons learnt over the years. A 21 st century University is enormously challenged to contend with global competitiveness, relevance of alumni / graduates and research output, funding, and so on. The Nigerian public universities (of which ours is one) have additional challenges of inadequacy of facilities and infrastructure, as well as intermittent disruption of institutional business occasioned by staff (labour unions) and students agitations/conflict with the authorities. It is against this background that I have articulated my vision for the University for the next five years ( ), and have painstakingly mapped out strategies for the actualization of this great vision. In more specific terms as contained in my vision: The Federal University of Technology, Akure will emerge as one of the top five Universities of Technology in Africa and will be in the fore-front of using science and technology as tools for problem solving. 5

6 Infrastructure will be vigorously improved and expanded. Renewable energy sources will be explored as back-up for all University buildings for improved efficiency. A number of innovative approaches for funding university expenditures will be explored and new opportunities as well as avenues of income generation will be opened up. Staff skills will be upgraded through additional and regular training under staff development, with opportunities for such trainings sought through the industry and off-shore university linkages. The development of ICT facilities and content management will be advanced to the stage that FUTA s webometric ranking should be within the top twenty universities in Africa. Our quality of teaching and research shall be improved to a worldclass standard and our physical landscape upgraded to maintain the lead in campus beauty and serenity. We shall cause a revolution in the provision of municipal facilities round the campus, and ensure increased studentfriendliness in our services all the time. I am unequivocally determined to provide exemplary leadership, the type that is accommodative of other people s ideas and suggestions; the type that is fair to all; a leadership that is responsible and responsive. Our 6

7 commitment to transparency and accountability will be very strong, while merit, freedom and participatory decision-making shall be our guiding principles. I am not in doubt that the road may be rough, but I am equally convinced that the vast human and material resources endowed this University are sufficient to propel us to the level of excellence and international recognition we envisioned. According to John Ruskin, when love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece. We already have the ingredient for skills based on your knowledge and qualifications, please provide love to deliver a masterpiece in the next five years. This is why I will continue to appeal to all Stakeholders, the Governing Council, Senate, all staff and students that this is another good opportunity to come together, work as a team, and take FUTA to higher levels of attainment and recognition. It is our joint responsibility and challenge as no single tree maketh a forest. The support of every stakeholders is hereby duly solicited. In the words of Franklin O. Roosevelt, There is a mysterious cycle in human events. To some generations much is given. Of other generations much is expected. This generation has a rendezvous with destiny. 7

8 It is therefore our joint responsibility and challenge to pursue further the visions of the founding fathers of this University, and to make it an institution of global reference in terms of academic productivity and research excellence. This will be in keeping faith with our vision to transform FUTA into a globally-competitive educational institution, reputable for the training of high quality graduates, generation of problemsolving research outputs and impactful technology transfer within our immediate environment and beyond. Let me assure the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman and all Members of Council, as well as all other stakeholders that we shall do our best with highest qualities of self-discipline and restraint, and with unprecedented willingness to make commitments and sacrifices for the general interest of this University. It is my prayer that God Almighty would bless us with all the wisdom and resources we need to succeed. I also pray that the University would continue to grow stronger and stronger, and all our staff, students, and the publics continue to reap greater benefits of our collective efforts. Once again, I acknowledge with deepest gratitude the distinguished presence of everyone in this landmark event. I thank you all for listening. May God bless you all. 8

9 I thank you all for listening. May God bless you all. Prof. Adebiyi G. Daramola, fnaae Vice-Chancellor 9