By Ayodele Abere
The VIce Chancellor, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI) Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Professor Olufemi Victor Adeoluwa has charged the newly matriculated students of the university to use their education to make a positive impact and contribute meaningfully to the society.
The Vice Chancellor gave the charge on Thursday while addressing the new students during the 2023/2024 academic session held at the Sports Pavilion of the institution.
In his admolition, the VC told the students to remember that the knowledge acquire in the course of their studies in the University is not just for personal gain but for the betterment of the society at large saying each of them have the potential to be a catalyst for progress and transformation.
Adeoluwa who said the students are now part of a rich legacy of knowledge, innovation and excellence that has been cultivated within the walls of the esteemed institution described the university as a place where ideas and diversity is celebrated and where intellectual curiosity knows no bounds.
The Vice Chancellor explained that the University runs well structured academic programmes strategically designed to expose students to contemporary formal and informal training as well as acquisition of skills and knowledge in areas that are pertinent to their fields of study in order to give them competitive edge over their peers. Adding that there are state of the art facilities and qualified personnel to support sound teaching and learning process.
Professor Victor Adeoluwa enjoined the new intakes to be security conscious and be alert to potential dangers in order to guard against unforseen circumstances in the university community as he emphasized on the fact that the University places premium on security of lives and property.
Speaking on the plans to distinguish the new students from their peers, the Vice Chancellor said, “Our University is peculiar because they focused on entrepreneaural and vocational studies . We do have some of those conventional programmes but then our instructional delivery system is different because we focus on what students can do with whatever they learn in any of those conventional programmes in order to make money for themselves.
“That’s also the reason in 200 level, all students have at both semesters a practical agriculture course that they have to do on the farm and it’s compulsory for them all to do. That’s why we equally focus on entrepreneurship programme which is actually a general study that is done in all universities but at BOUESTI, we focus more on practical skills with regards to that and we make sure we have workshops for many of them to produce what they have to produce.
“I have a pair of shoes produced by them and a laptop bag produced by them. If you see those things, you won’t doubt if it’ is said that it was produced from a standard factory not just by students. We try as much as possible to also encourage them to do whatever it is that can do with their Innovative skills. That’s the reason even at matriculation and other official programmes we have, we invite the theatres department to display, we invite the music department to display, we invite even private dance club on campus to display and we pay them for doing so because we let them realize that it is what they can do to make money.
“Our students know that whatever it is they want to do for them to stand on their feet and make ends meet, we will support. In the next five months, we are going to make a technology hub where internet will be free and students can come with their laptops, tablets and do whatever it is that they want to do. About three weeks ago, the university paid money to a private computer organisation to teach students some computer skills, one hundred of them according to whichever skill they intend to have. This is to make sure that we set that pace and it’s something we are going to be doing every year for the best students we have so that as they are graduating from school, they can begin to sell their skills, sell themselves all over the world.
While congratulating the matriculated students which he said their presence in the university is a testament to hard work and dedication. The Vice Chancellor appreciated the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji for his assistance, keen interest and unflinching support for the university at all times. Just as he equally appreciated the contributions and commitment of the Chancellor of the University, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN and that of the Governing Council under the leadership of the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Professor Patrick Oladipo Aina in ensuring consistent oiling of the wheels that drive the educational revolution of the University.
In her charge for the students after taking the matriculation oath, the Registrar of the University, Mrs Adenike Adeusi urged the newly matriculated students to keep to the oath taken during the matriculation saying that the certificate that BOUESTI will issue to them at the end of their programmes will not be based on learning alone but also the character.
“Whoever is found wanting in character cannot graduate from BOUESTI”. She advised them to shun all evils and keep to their matriculation oath for them to have a peaceful stay in the University and graduate successfully at the end of the day”.
However, the JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede ably represented by the Ekiti State Coordinator of JAMB, Alhaji Hassan Lawal also urged the students to do away with anything that could get them derailed from their academic and that they should be good ambassador of their parents. He urged them to study hard to achieve their goals in life noting that hard work is key to success.