Sometimes change comes with glad tidings, the cloud around the sky of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) is showing some good omens as the newly appointed Vice chancellor unravel his 7 points agenda to further take the institutions higher.
He made this known at his inauguration ceremony presided over by the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institution ,Senator Joseph Waku on Wednesday , May 24, 2017.Delivering his maiden address, Fuwape said "we have the collective responsibility to take the University to the next level of becoming a world class University and Centre of Excellence. In order to achieve this laudable goal we will leverage on past achievements to implement seven major goals viz: improvement of quality of academic programme; development of human resources; re-branding of FUTA as Centre of Excellence in Research, Innovation and Product Development; deployment of ICT in learning and research; enhancement of staff and students welfare; internalization and globalization and improvement of capital base". Speaking on the quality of academic programmes which is the core mandate of any University he said need-driven, robust and relevant academic programmes are not only central to, but are the pillars upon which the name and reputation of a University depends.
On how to further improve the quality of the academic programmes he said "Universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are famous because of their high quality academic programmes and staff. Therefore we will work to restructure the academic curricula in the different departments to be 21st century compliant".
He also assured the University of his determination to establish collaborations with more reputable Institutions within and outside the country because linkages are necessary to strengthen research collaborations, improve teaching and attract sponsorships, fellowships and research grants.
Professor Fuwape solicited the support of all stakeholders in the Project FUTA to achieve peaceful consistence that will lead to uninterrupted academic sessions. "The University of our vision can only be attained in an environment where there is peace and industrial harmony. I charge us all as a community of enlightened people to collectively allow peace, tranquility and harmony to reign supreme in FUTA. It is only where we allow this to happen that we can focus on how to make our University the first among equals in the comity of Universities in Nigeria. As the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, I will do everything God lays at my disposal to carry every stakeholder along. I declare that I belong to every Union on this campus, including the Students' Union".
Speaking on welfare, he said "on our part as FUTA Management we will be responsive to the welfare needs of staff and students in order to guarantee an environment conducive to teaching, learning and research. We want to foster a forward-looking, proactive, servant leadership environment for our University. I offer to serve as a dedicated, visionary, hardworking, honest, transparent and humane leader, "he added.
He commended the credibility and impartiality of the selection team led by the Pro Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Senator Waku, and extended the olive branch to those who competed with him in the race. "I salute the doggedness of my colleagues and co-competitors for this position and for demonstrating the spirit of sportsmanship "he added.
Earlier in a valedictory address, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola appreciated the effort of all stakeholders in the University for making his tenure conducive. He said "the achievements his administration recorded would not have been possible without the support of men and women of goodwill. It can only be told in modest term that during the period of my stewardship, FUTA through the grace of God was able to take a giant leap by recording resounding success in all facets of academic, human and infrastructural development."
Speaking about his successor, Daramola said, "I am happy because I know you will bring your wealth of knowledge and experience to bear on your new position, especially having meritoriously served as Vice-Chancellor of a private University."
Daramola commended the support his administration received from the Governing Council, Senate, Management, staff and students of the University. "I appreciate the Senate of the University for cooperating and assisting to actualize my vision of taking FUTA to the market place. Together we have paid our dues and we are happy to have advanced the course of the University to greater heights" he concluded.
In a brief remark, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Senator J.K.N. Waku commended the tremendous development the Daramola–led administration brought to the University and urged the newly inaugurated Vice-Chancellor, Professor Fuwape to build on those achievements. He said FUTA is blessed with brilliant academics who are agents of transformation.
Waku counseled the Unions in the University to cooperate with the new Vice-Chancellor to have peace on campus. "I want to appeal to the Unions that this University belongs to you. Do not take things for granted. Do not take laws into your hands. Direct your grievances to the constituted authority so that they can be resolved amicably" he added
