‘Strengthening Technical Education Key to Devt’

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Vice Chancellor, Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Prof. Adesola Ajayi, has said that strengthening technical and applied science education remains central to the development of the country, noting that universities must become hubs of practical innovation rather than mere centres of theory.

This is just as he disclosed that the university will be graduating 183 students at its fifth convocation ceremony next Saturday.

He emphasised that the mandate of the institution as a technology-focused university is to produce graduates who are technically grounded, entrepreneurially prepared, and globally competitive, stating that 75 students graduated from the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, 86 from Engineering and Technology, and 22 from the newly established Faculty of Environmental Sciences.

While highlighting the significant infrastructural and academic progress made by the institution, Prof. Ajayi acknowledged support from both the federal and Oyo State Governments, noting that the state government has allocated N2.5 billion as a capital project in this year’s budget, alongside other direct infrastructural interventions.

He added that the university has benefitted considerably from TETFund, which has committed about N4 billion towards various projects across the campus.

The vice-chancellor further stressed that as a technology institution, the university is committed to research that solves real problems.

“The Research Committee has adopted Ibadan metropolis as its research laboratory, with final-year projects tied to observed community needs.

“Examples include a smart device for detecting adulterated fuel, engineering solutions for domestic electrical faults, and prototypes addressing urban and environmental challenges.

“The university’s entrepreneurship programme helps students refine these innovations, pitch ideas, and receive mentorship, resulting in graduates who excel globally, with some now working as academics abroad,” he stated.

Ajayi said the institution maintained strong partnerships with industries, private companies, and professional bodies to provide students with internships, industry exposure, and employment opportunities.

He added that the university’s governance structure is transparent, clearly defined succession plans guided by established laws, with recruitment based on measurable performance indicators.

According to him, infrastructural upgrades included internal road construction, a completed workshop, an ongoing staff office complex, and a 200-bed hostel built through a PPP arrangement, now approximately 90 per cent completed.