The Vice chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA Professor Adenike Oladiji has tasked newly matriculated post graduate students on the need to maximize opportunities to add value to research output in Nigeria and globally.
The Vice chancellor who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development, Professor Rufus Ogunsemi stated this at the 2020/ 2021 induction programme and matriculation ceremony for new postgraduate students.
Advising the students she said, ”You have an important role to play in our task to continue to remain relevant nationally and internationally among centres of excellence.
Think like an academic and research ambassador of FUTA right from this onset. Think beyond your personal success and think about how you can make global impact in our quest to be recognized as one of the leading universities in research and innovation globally”.
Professor Oladiji while reiterating the need for dilligence and hard work said, “In other to maximize these opportunities you will need to set your mind to hard work and remain focused.
Universally universities are engaged indeed in a tripartite operation of teaching, research and community service. The research component of the operation of universities actually defines them. It is the research endeavours that mark universities as Centres of knowledge generation and through which they impact society and humanity that is why the research output of universities are a great significant factor among the parameters used to rank universities”.
The Vice Chancellor promised the students that the University will support them and provide enabling environment for them to actualize their dreams and contribute to the development of body of knowledge and research.
“FUTA provides an enabling environment and infrastructure for research to both academic staff and post graduate students. Our university is getting well rated in Nigeria and on global ratings. Excellence is a never-ending journey.
Whatever we have achieved now, can always be improved upon and we must keep improving to sustain the positive academic and public rating that we have achieved. As new intakes the onus lies on you to raise the current ratings and fly the banner of academic excellence for which FUTA is known for”, she said.
The Dean of the School of Post Graduate Studies, Professor Chinwuba Arum in his address said, the Postgraduate programmes of FUTA are intended to consolidate and build upon the solid intellectual and technological foundation which the undergraduate courses in the university have been carefully designed to achieve.
He said the programme philosophies are designed to provide highly skilled professionals and researchers in the fields of engineering, sciences, agriculture, environmental technology, logistics and innovation technology, earth and mineral sciences, public health and allied disciplines.
The Dean pointed out that that the FUTA post graduate school has a reputation of having a very solid organizational structure which makes for near seamless flow of operations.
“This structure was put in place over the years through the efforts of successive management teams and staff of the Post Graduate school headed by various past Deans of the School” he said.
He urged the students to apply dedication and enthusiasm to their work to enable them achieve their aims for pursuing higher education at FUTA as the university is working hard in the area of research work as post graduate curricular are designed not only for those that are interested in having a lifelong career in teaching and research but also to groom individuals to receive the baton of knowledge and impact the society.
The students were also lectured on the Global relevance of Post graduate studies, research funding, essential services in the university, importance of goal setting and Basic regulations guiding Post Graduate Students during the induction which preceded the matriculation.