Mohammed Shosanya
The Federal University of Technology, Akure(FUTA) has commenced the construction of a large solar power farm on the campus in order to ensure regular power supply.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adenike Oladiji disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outstanding achievements and accomplishments of the institution, members of staff and the students in the last two years.
According to her,the university is working on how to rely mostly on green energy without depending on the national grid.
The university would supply adjoining communities with power when the project was completed,she said at the briefing on Friday to herald the commencement of the celebration of the institution’s 34th and 35th convocation ceremonies.
“I have no doubt that we have every cause to look forward to a brighter and more inspiring second half of my vice-chancellorship. A lot of interactions have elicited our core challenges and how we could address them, especially the energy challenge.
“I am very optimistic that with a very stable and convivial industrial ambience, we shall take FUTA to higher heights,” the Vice Chancellor said.
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Speaking on the breakdown of the graduation statistics, the Vice Chancellor disclosed that for both academic sessions, the total number of the graduates is 6,405.
Five hundred and nineteen had First Class, 3408 bagged Second Class (Upper Division), 2139 finished with Second Class (Lower Division) and 339 had Third Class.
She further explained that among the 519 First Class,293 are 2022/2023 academic session sets,while 226 belong to the 2023/2024 academic session set.
The varsity,which currently has 59 accredited academic programmes, “in the Times Higher Education Ranking of Universities for year 2025, FUTA ranked among the Top Ten (number 7) in Nigeria, and also maintained its enviable position as The Best University of Technology in Nigeria, a position she has maintained consistently for two decades.”
Speaking on some of the accomplishments of the varsity, Prof. Oladiji said: “The position of FUTA as a leading research-intensive institution with global relevance and recognition was confirmed, as a number of its faculty members and alumni earned pride of place in the ranking of the Top 2% scientists in the world, according to the latest report released by Elsevier/Stanford University,USA on September 16, 2024.
“Ten (10) academic staff of the University featured in the Career-long Impact Category and thirty (30) in the single year impact category.”
On the programme schedule, the vice Chancellor said: “The 34th and 35th Convocation Ceremonies begin today and will peak on the 29th and 30th of November with the award of first and postgraduate degrees.
“At this Convocation,we will welcome Our Visitor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. It will be an opportunity to physically express our gratitude for various interventions of the Federal Government in our University, especially, the approval for the establishment of FUTA Teaching Hospital.”
The convocation lecture entitled: “Technological Innovations: A Panacea to Food Insecurity,” would be delivered by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday, November 29, 2024.
Also,Honorary Doctoral degrees would be conferred on founder of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry(MFM), Prof. Daniel O. Olukoya(Doctor of Management Science), the first Administrative officer of the varsity, Mr. Ayorinde O. Ogunruku(Doctor of Management Science), and an alumnus of the varsity, Mr Joel Ogunsola(Doctor of Information and Communication Technology).
According to Prof. Oladiji,the distinguished personalities are decorated because “Apart from their impressive contributions to humanity, they have also identified with FUTA’s great ideals and vision such that the entire University community can continue to identify with their legacies.”
The Vice Chancellor revealed that the valedictorians for 2022/2023 academic session are; Faromika, Ifeoluwa Faith (EEE/17/3175) with CGPA: 4.96, and Vitowanu, Johnbull Aanuoluwapo (IPE/17/3299) with CGPA: 4.96.
For 2023/2024 academic session, the valedictorian is Ajakaye, Oluwasegun Joshua (MME/18/7019) with CGPA: 4.95.
The university will also be conferring Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and Doctoral degrees on 960 graduands. Among them are 299 Postgraduate Diploma, 2 M-Phil, 3 M-Phil/PhD, 536 Masters and 120 PhD.