By Naomi Sharang
Prof. Gbenga Aribisala, Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences (FUTES), Iyin-Ekiti, has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to contributing meaningfully to national development.
Aribisala, who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that this would be through the training of highly-skilled manpower in the institution.
He said that the newly-established university had commenced academic activities with about 1,500 students.
“As a pioneer vice-chancellor, I feel excited, very happy that academic activities have started.
“The journey started about nine months ago and there are many hurdles to cross, milestones. We went through the National Universities Commission (NUC) verification exercise and it was successful,” he said.
Aribisala said that the university was focused on producing graduates who would position Nigeria competitively in the areas of technology and environmental sciences.
According to him, the institution’s academic programmes are designed to equip students with relevant knowledge and practical skills needed to address contemporary technological and environmental challenges facing the country.
He stated that on a national scale, the university aimed to develop human capital capable of driving innovation, sustainability and economic growth.
The vice-chancellor noted that by investing in quality education, research and capacity building, the university would play a vital role in shaping professionals who would contribute effectively to Nigeria’s development agenda.
He said that the university remained committed to excellence and collaboration, expressing confidence that its graduates would make significant impacts both locally and internationally in advancing technology and environmental sciences.
Aribisala said that the university has some of the best scholars who would bring their wealth of knowledge to bear in the discharge of their duties.
“I’m glad that in our recruitment, I have been able to recruit some of the top scholars in the Nigerian university system.
“The number 16th research scholar in Nigeria is now one of us here, one of the professors. The number 26 too is with this university. And then a lot of others that are here.
“With this, the quality of graduates who we are going to be producing from here will be the type that will be able to be a blessing in this country,” he said.
On the programmes offered by the institution, the vice-chancellor said that the management was staying focused on the mandate of the institution.
He said: “The name of the university is the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences and we have stayed focused.
“We have the Faculty of Engineering and Technology; we have the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences; we have the Faculty of Computing; we have also the Faculty of Environmental Sciences.
“And when we are talking about computing, it’s like the future of the world.
“There’s also natural and applied sciences and then you are talking about forensic science; you are talking about Science Laboratory Technology (SLT); you are talking about animal and environmental biology; you are talking about toxicology.
“These are the latest on the list. This university will be at the forefront of developing technological gadgets with which to protect our environment,” he said.
Aribisala commended the Federal Government on the take-off grants provided for the development of the university.
“What they have for us in developing this place in take-off grants is more than other conventional universities,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
