To provide additional funding that will enable the Kwara State University, Malete, improve on the provision and promotion of higher education, teaching and research in the country, the institution will soon launch an endowment fund, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, has submitted.
The proceeds from the Endowment fund would also assist in providing additional facilities and resources to enhance teaching and research.
Delivering his speech at the 12th convocation ceremony of the institution on Saturday, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, noted that this initiative is designed to explore alternative financial strategies, enhance infrastructure and improve learning environment.
The 12th convocation ceremony held at the university’s Ultra-modern Performing Arts building on Saturday, featured the award of first and higher degrees with a total of 6,374 students graduating from the institution while 71 among them graduated with first class honours.
The total number of people with higher degrees was 517, and out of this figure, 468 were of master’s degree category while 49 PhD students also graduated from the university.
The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that the university would be offering 10 new courses; B.Sc. Geography and Remote Sensing, B.Sc. Urban and Regional Planning, B.Sc. Estate Management, B.Sc. Anatomy, B.Sc. Physiology, B. Eng. Mining Engineering, B.Sc. Marketing, B.Sc. Sociology, B.Sc. Cyber Security, and B.Sc. Criminology and Security Studies while adding that the institution has set the wheels in motion to ensure that this becomes a reality by taking necessary steps and only waiting to get the go-ahead from the National University Commission (NUC).
He noted that the proposed 10 new courses, if approved, will increase the number of courses offered at the institution to 80.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the graduands to make use of the knowledge they have acquired in the university to impact society.
‘You have been properly equipped to make a difference. So, I urge you to start where you are, use what you have and do what you can to accomplish great things. The education you have received at Kwara State University is your ticket to change the world. You have been tutored on the need for, and rudiments of being self-sustaining.
The university has shown how and why you must engage with society and the environment with every sense of responsibility, what remains now is for you to set sail into the world and make that difference that will bring glory to you, your family and your Alma Mata.
I hope your sojourn with Kwara State University has shown you that wealth can and should be measured by the amount of impact you make on the world. Be kind, be impactful, and make that difference however minute. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
You are our ambassadors and we look up to you to propagate the values for which your university is known. Convert challenges to stepping-stones, see opportunities where others see limitations, take on new adventures and live lives worthy of emulations’ he said.
Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali said the council has encouraged prudent financial management which has enabled the institution to initiate developmental projects while also giving maximum support to the ‘management team’ to secure sponsorship for infrastructure projects through public private partnership.
He also talked about the planned launch of endowment fund which will have Professor Ibrahim Gambari as chairman and Engineer Johnson Adewumi as co-chairman.
Profesoor Ibrahim Gambari , who served as former president Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, is a former Chancellor of the institution, while Engineer Johnson Adewumi is the current Chancellor.
Giving his speech, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq urged the graduands to be good ambassadors of their Alma Mata and the state while urging them to leverage the knowledge and skills they have acquired to positively impact society.
Governor AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr Mary Arinde, expressed delight that academic activity has taken wing at the Osi and Ilesha Baruba Campuses of the university noting that this has shown the commitment of his administration to the growth and development of the university.
He promised that his administration will remain committed to providing good education and other social infrastructure to the people of the state.
The event was attended by dignitaries including former Kwara State First Lady, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, Alhaji Raheem Oladimeji, Hon Razak Owolabi, chairman of Ifelodun local government, Hadji Femi Yusuf, traditional rulers and community leaders.
Hon Razak Owolabi, who represents Share/Oke-Ode state constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, had his daughter among the graduands-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
