•School to commence maritime studies
Hakeem Gbadamosi | Akure
Vice Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State, Professor Temi Emmanuel Ologunorisa, said 26 students of the institution will be graduating with first class honours during the first convocation ceremony of the institution.
Ologunorisa who disclosed this at a press conference heralding the maiden convocation ceremony, said the students were among the 982 graduands to be awarded various degrees at the event.
He explained that the 982 graduands were from five sets – 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 session, noting that 26 of the 982 graduands made First Class while 307 made Second Class Upper Division, 488 Second Class Lower Division and 161 Third Class.
He said the convocation slated for March 25, will also feature the award of Doctor of Business Administration (Honours Causa) to the chancellor of the university, and the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba (Dr) Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan (Okoro Ajiga I).
He said that the award is in recognition of his achievements in the global business world.
He hinted that there would be a convocation lecture entitled: ‘Transforming the Nigerian University System for Graduate Employability and Socio-economic Development,’ to be delivered by the former vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Emeritus Professor Olufemi Bamiro.
He also disclosed that the institution had concluded plans to establish a Maritime Academy to train undergraduate students in critical skilled manpower necessary to drive the maritime industry and ultimately the blue economy of the state.
He added that the institution would commence courses in Nautical Science, Maritime Transport and Logistics, Marine Engineering, Shipping and Port Management, Marine Economics and Finance and Maritime Security.
“It should be mentioned that the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) is building a new school, ‘School of Maritime Transport and Logistics’ at Ugbo Nla, in Ondo State southern senatorial district.
“The state is in the process of establishing a deep seaport. These courses will also help to boost the local economy of the state aside from providing the critical manpower in the maritime industry currently short supply in Nigeria,” Ologunorisa said.
He said OAUSTECH is gradually moving away from being a teaching institution to a real-time research institution.
“We have collaborations with industries, government and universities. We interface with them in order to be in line with the new trends in the maritime industry,” the VC said.
He said his administration had produced a 10-year strategic plan for OAUSTECH, which is running from 2023 to 2033, adding that “we know what it will cost to put all the contents in place.”
“Even my successor will not find it difficult to key into the plan. This is to enhance the development of the university within this period and it’s subject to modification,” he said.
