In a bid to ensure that the University’s new administrative structural base takes firm root as well as further drive issues arising from the recently concluded 2009 Executive Advance for Faculty and Senior Non-Teaching Staff, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Aize Obayan has kicked off official visits to the University’s Colleges and Schools.

The Vice Chancellor’s visit which began on Wednesday, October 8, 2009 was first hosted by the School of Business Studies in the College of Development Studies, followed by the School of Social Sciences and the School of Human Resource Development which had its turn on Thursday, October 9.

The visit was her first to the College of Development Studies after the restructuring which brought about the emergence of the College and the three Schools from a merger of former College of Human Development and College of Business and Social Sciences.

Addressing the faculty and staff of each school on Academic and Strategic Emphasis in the new dispensation, the Vice Chancellor identified parameters for attaining world-class rankings, challenging them to put their action plans along side the vision of the schools and to benchmark against universities that are leading in a particular area.

She further stated that it’s time everyone on board must think outside the box to proffer solutions to the socio-economic problems we are faced with as a nation saying, “Right now there is no point re-inventing the wheels, but to bring in something unique to close up the existing gaps and proffer these right answers that are right here in our context”.

Professor Obayan also enjoined the faculty to proffer solutions that will affect the University’s immediate community and the whole nation. Quoting Ivan Illich, she said, “Attempting to build world-class universities without attending first to the educational and social ground on which such institutions might stand is like trying to do urban renewal in New York City from the 12th story up.”

She also advised them to always update the Director, Centre for Learning Resources with current books and journals in their respective areas in order to update the resource base of the University Library. She hinted that the University, through the French programme, in conjunction with ECOWAS/CIM Academia will be playing a major role in the development of Lingua Franca for West African Countries.

The Schools, according to her, will need to seat up in order to institute a world-class university which can be achieved by academic networking, organising regular tea/coffee breaks for intellectual stimulation and working together to provide solutions to the many problems faced by man today.

Speaking in the same vein, the Registrar, Dr. Daniel Rotimi advised everyone to pay painstaking attention to building a world-class university with focus on Teaching, Research and Community Development.

Earlier, while delivering his welcome remark, the Dean of the College, Professor Mathew Ola-Rotimi Ajayi stated that the visit will further give insight into what the leadership is driving at attaining world-class standard.

Other members of the Vice Chancellor’s entourage were the Director of Academic Planning, Dr. C.K. Ayo and the Senior Assistant Registrar in the VC’s Office, Deacon Femi Anlemi. Also present at the parley were the Deputy Dean School of Business, Professor J. A. Bello; Deputy Dean, School of Social Sciences, Professor T. O. Fadayomi; and Deputy Dean School of Human Resource Development, Dr. Patrick Edewor.

The Vice Chancellor’s tour continues this week Thursday, October 15, 2009 with a visit to College of Science and Technology where she will be addressing faculty and staff in the Schools of Engineering and Technology, Environmental Sciences and Natural Sciences.