By Otitoju Femi
In the spirit of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), students of the Institute of Part-Time Studies (IPTS), Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) have demonstrated a growing commitment to the development of their institution by voluntarily providing some facilities to the Institute.
The facilities include two printers, two whiteboards and seven solar-powered street lights across the Institute’s campuses.
The student-led interventions, carried out at the Ifaki-Ekiti and Ayegbaju-Ekiti campuses comprise repairing of furniture and an air-conditioning system in the office of the Deputy Director of IPTS, Dr Osmond Agu.
At the Ifaki-Ekiti Campus, students of the Department of Biochemistry donated two printers. One black-and-white and one colour to support academic and administrative activities, while the Microbiology Students’ Association provided two whiteboards to replace worn-out classroom boards.
At the Ayegbaju-Ekiti Campus, students donated and installed seven solar-powered street lights, significantly improving visibility around the campus at night.
Speaking on the interventions, the Director of IPTS, Prof. Olubunmi Omolayo, described the gestures as evidence of the students’ growing sense of responsibility, ownership and commitment to the development of the Institute.
Omolayo disclosed that the projects were voluntarily undertaken and financed by the students, stressing that the Institute did not impose any financial obligation on them.
He explained that the students independently identified areas of need, mobilised resources and approached the management with proposals to provide the facilities.
“All the donations were financed by the students. They did everything by themselves. The solar street lights have been installed and are functioning very well. If you visit Ayegbaju Campus at night, you will like what you will see. You will see the beauty of the place,” he said.
The Director noted that the solar-powered lights had gone beyond beautifying the campus, saying the improved illumination had created a more conducive environment for students to remain on campus after lectures and engage in academic activities.
He added that petty traders operating around the campus had also benefited from the improved lighting.
Explaining the background to the student-led interventions, Prof. Omolayo disclosed that the present management of IPTS had stopped the practice of collecting portions of students’ funds from their associations.
According to him, the decision followed concerns that previous deductions from students’ funds had not translated into tangible facilities that could be readily identified across the campuses.
“I want these things to be documented because when we came on board, we realised that certain percentages of students’ money were being taken by the management of the Institute, but there was nothing tangible to show for it,” he explained.
The Director said management subsequently resolved to leave students’ funds under the control of their associations, allowing them to determine voluntarily how best to deploy their resources.
“As we came on board, we decided that we would not collect any money from the students’ associations. We stopped the practice of collecting money from the students because their money belongs to them,” he stated.
He stressed that the Institute only responds when students voluntarily approach management to identify areas where they wish to contribute.
“We let them know that whatever they feel is necessary for them to do to assist the Institute from the money they realise, they can do it. If they decide not to do anything, there is no problem because we will not force them,” he explained.
Prof. Omolayo added that the Institute would appreciate any assistance students could voluntarily provide within their means.
“If they come to us and ask what we need, we will tell them, and whatever they can afford, we will joyfully take it,” he said.
The Director expressed optimism that continued collaboration between students and management would accelerate the provision of facilities across IPTS campuses.
He noted that while individual contributions might appear modest, collective interventions could have a significant impact on the development of the Institute.
“This is a welcome development. We believe that if things like these had been done in the past, by now, our campuses would have had enough facilities and equipment to work with,” he said.
Prof. Omolayo therefore encouraged students at other campuses and departments to identify areas of need and undertake practical interventions within their capacity.
He suggested that departments could pool their resources to provide essential facilities without placing undue financial pressure on individual students.
“For example, if the three departments at Ire Campus come together and decide to procure a printer, and the students at Ikole decide to buy a printer, it will have a great impact on the Institute,” he suggested.
Despite the recent interventions, Prof. Omolayo disclosed that IPTS still required additional equipment, particularly laptops, to strengthen its administrative operations.
He explained that providing institutional laptops would reduce staff dependence on personal devices for official assignments and improve efficiency.
“We still need laptops in the Institute so that we will not be using individuals’ laptops for the work of the Institute. We will try and get laptops because they are very vital tools that we need,” he said.
The Director further disclosed that some students had already approached the management to ask about the Institute’s pressing needs, with laptops among the items identified.
“It will interest you to know that these students have come to ask us whether we need laptops, and we told them that we need them,” he added.
Speaking on the donation of the two printers, the President of the Biochemistry Students’ Association, Comrade Ilesanmi Gideon Oluwaseun, said the initiative was driven by the students’ desire to contribute meaningfully to the development of IPTS and support academic and administrative activities.
He explained that the students recognised the importance of accessible printing facilities for the production of lecture materials, assignments, examination documents, notices and other essential academic materials.
Ilesanmi stressed that the initiative was also intended to demonstrate that student leadership should go beyond representation to identifying areas of need and taking practical steps to address them.
“Leadership is not only about representing students but also about identifying areas where we can make a positive and lasting impact,” he said.
Explaining the funding of the project, he disclosed that student representatives mobilised resources from departmental dues after identifying the need for printing facilities at the Institute.
He described the initiative as a product of cooperation, sacrifice, responsibility and service, saying the students were motivated by the desire to give back to the University.
“This project represents the spirit of cooperation, sacrifice, responsibility and service among the students. It was not simply about purchasing printers; it was about coming together as students to give something back to the University and contribute to an environment that benefits members of the academic community,” he said.
Comrade Ilesanmi explained that the printers would make academic and administrative processes more convenient and efficient, particularly in producing lecture materials, handouts, attendance sheets, assignments, examination-related documents and notices.
He expressed the hope that the facilities would reduce some of the difficulties associated with accessing printing and photocopying services while contributing to a more supportive learning environment.
Beyond the immediate benefits, he said the gesture demonstrated the capacity of students to contribute meaningfully to institutional development.
He urged students, alumni, staff and other members of the University community to support initiatives aimed at improving teaching, learning, research and students’ welfare.
“The development of our institution is a collective responsibility. We should not always wait for the University administration or government before contributing our own quota. Every meaningful contribution, regardless of its size, can make a difference when people come together with a common purpose,” he said.
The Biochemistry Students’ Association President also encouraged other student bodies and departments to identify areas of need and develop initiatives capable of contributing to the University’s development.
He described support for IPTS as an investment in education and the future of FUOYE, adding that the initiative had provided the students an opportunity to demonstrate service, unity, responsibility and leadership through practical action.
Also speaking on the donation of the two whiteboards, the President of the Microbiology Students’ Association, Comrade Aderibigbe Emmanuel, said the initiative was motivated by the students’ desire to improve learning facilities and create a more conducive academic environment.
He explained that the students, who also attend lectures at the Institute, had observed the need to replace worn-out classroom boards and provide facilities that would make teaching and learning more effective.
Comrade Aderibigbe described the donation as a modest way of giving back to the Institute and contributing to the development of the University.
He disclosed that the students collectively raised funds through voluntary contributions, support from departmental dues and the cooperation of the association’s executives and class representatives.
He added that the Staff Adviser and Head of Department provided encouragement and guidance during the process.
According to him, the initiative demonstrated what students could achieve when they worked together towards a common objective.
On the expected impact of the whiteboards, Comrade Aderibigbe said the new facilities would make writing clearer and more visible to students, including those seated at the back of lecture halls.
He explained that the intervention would improve communication between lecturers and students, enhance concentration and make classroom teaching more interactive.
He added that the whiteboards would also contribute to maintaining a cleaner and more modern classroom environment.
The Microbiology Students’ Association President urged other departments, student associations and well-meaning individuals to support IPTS and other areas of need within the University.
“The development of the University is a collective responsibility. The school management cannot do it alone. Whether big or small, every support counts. We call on other faculties and departments, associations and well-meaning individuals to emulate this gesture and support the Institute of Part-Time Studies and the University at large. When we invest in our learning environment, we are investing in our own future,” he said.
The interventions, according to Prof. Omolayo, demonstrate the value of student participation in institutional development and show how voluntary contributions can complement management’s efforts to provide essential facilities.
With the provision of printers, whiteboards, solar-powered street lights and other repairs, the students have addressed immediate needs at their respective campuses while demonstrating a growing culture of service, responsibility and collective participation in the development of FUOYE.
