It was a double deal at the First Technical University, Ibadan, recently as it unveiled a Science Lab about the same time it matriculated 197 students for the 2020/2021 set.
The matriculation, which is the university’s fourth, held on May 25, 2021.
The ceremony had both physical and virtual components, with the fresh students in attendance while parents and other stakeholders joined online, in compliance with COVID-19 protocol.
The students were variously admitted into the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, as well the Faculty of Management and Sciences.
Speaking at the programme, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ayobami Salami, assured them that they had begun a journey into a great future.
He said the Visitor to the institution, Engr Seyi Makinde, who is the Oyo State Governor; the Council, Senate, management and staff were desirous to give the students impactful theoretical and practical education.
Salami, however, enjoined them to be committed to their studies, saying they should not let the opportunity they had be a waste.
He said, “First, gaining admission into higher institutions, especially to a university like the Tech-U, which is prepared in all ramifications to equip students with all-round education, is not a joke. It is not like the manna that falls from heaven. Generally, gaining admission into higher institutions is so tight that whoever has secured one must most wisely and functionally utilise it.
“As far as the First Technical University is concerned, we are prepared to help you get the best of education. The university has in store seasoned and passionate professionals as lecturers and administrators. They are among the best you can find anywhere. While Tech-U is founded on the philosophy of offering practical technical, entrepreneurial and vocational education, they (the staff) are very ready to bring out the best in you and make your dream and those of your parents come true.”
The vice chancellor added that every graduate of the varsity would get three certificates at the end of the successful completion of their programmes.
“Apart from the academic education you will be provided with here, you will further receive entrepreneurial and vocational education. So is language education, as exemplified by our special French programme. The implication is that, at the end of your programme, you will receive three certificates: a BSc in your course, a Diploma in Entrepreneurship and another one in French. What this means is that Tech-U is preparing for you a rich and versatile future. You will be fully developed in scholarship and business practice. This is the essence of our motto: Developing brains, Training Hands. You will fit into job and corporate environments. You will also be ready to set up your own businesses, thereby becoming market players and employment of labour. Indeed, the market will need you as much as you will need the market,” he said.
At the event held in the institution’s Library Hall were other principal officers of the university, including the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof, Adesola Ajayi; the Registrar, Mrs Olayinka Balogun; and the Bursar, Pastor Kehinde Olatokun.
Also presented to the new students are the Tech-U Scholars, the brainy, committed and excellence-achieving students, who are able to secure and maintain distinction. To further encourage the scholars, the university pays each with 4.5 GPA and above N10,000 allowance monthly. The Tech-U Scholar with the highest GPA in each department gets N15,000 monthly while the one with the highest overall gets N20,000 every month.
“The scheme is supported by the Josephus Foundation, which also has a bold scholarship programme for our students. Already, a good number of you are beneficiaries of the scholarship initiated and funded by our iconic Chancellor, Chief Tunde J, Afolabi MFR,” Salami explained.
While a Gala Night was also held on May 27, in honour of the new students, the university had earlier added the new Science Lab to its steadily expanding facilities. So impressively finished is the lab that the VC and other principal staff commended the contractors that handled it – Highrise Builders Ltd.
He commended TETFUND for the initiative, while recalling other projects the agency has executed at Tech-U, including another major workshop/laboratory that is nearing completion.
The university also recently inaugurated two 100-bed female hostel and another 100-bed male hostel, funded with internally generated revenue, while it had also, last year, completed the Engineering Workshop through the same source.
At the inauguration, Tech-U Registrar, Mrs Olayinka Balogun, The Dean, Environmental and Management Sciences, Professor Henry Odeyinka, who is also the Coordinator of Works; Chairman, Highrise Builders, Alhaji A. A. Adegbite; and Consultant to the Project, Arc. Shemo Akpene, expressed satisfaction at the successful completion of the project.
The registrar said, “The building was constructed with beauty and excellencein mind. In the First Technical University, there is not a single abandonedproject and we don’t pray to have one. It is inspiring to note that despite all the challenges of last year, the contractors were able to promptly complete the work. In our old age, when we are passing through this place and see the university, we will proudly say, ‘I was part of the history that was madehere.”
