Chinedu Okafor & Toluwanimi Bamigbola
The Vice-Chancellor Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, Nigeria,
Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina has lauded steady growth and accomplishments of the Institute of Part-Time Studies (IPTS), saying the Institute was on its way to global reckoning.
The Vice-Chancellor, who addressed the Institute’s fifth matriculation ceremony held on Friday 8 November, 2024 at the main campus of the Institute, Ayegbaju Ekiti state, said no fewer than 1,722 students were formally welcomed into the programme.
Delivering his address at the ceremony, Professor Fasina expressed gratitude to God for enabling the successes of the institute, describing it as one of the most impactful initiatives under his administration.
Specifically, he said that IPTS was established to offer alternative admission pathways for thousands of teeming applicants who selected FUOYE as their preferred institution each year but were unable to gain admission due to limited quotas set by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Highlighting the university s popularity, Professor Fasina revealed that FUOYE was the 3rd most subscribed university in Nigeria in the last Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, with nearly 50,000 applicants choosing FUOYE as their first choice.
However, the institution would admit only a fraction of these applicants, leaving about 40,000 qualified candidates without admission opportunities.
IPTS, the Vice-Chancellor stated, would address this gap by creating a flexible and inclusive academic opportunities for these aspiring students.
The Vice-Chancellor outlined IPTS growth over the past year(2023), reporting that 1,342 students were admitted into various faculties during the fourth matriculation ceremony in comparison with this year s intake of 1,722 students which marked a significant expansion for the institute.
In terms of academic progress, Professor Fasina pointed out that the Institute successfully completed its first academic session in July 2022, with students results released promptly.
He emphasized that timely release of results had become a core principle of IPTS as the administration remained committed to its promise of an uninterrupted academic calendar.
Besides, Professor Fasina celebrated IPTS growing presence across communities, announcing that Ifaki Ekiti campus was added to its existing locations this year.
He said : “Currently, IPTS operates in five communities: Ayegbaju Ekiti, Ire Ekiti, Ifaki Ekiti, Ayedun Ekiti and Ikole Ekiti.
” The establishment of campuses in these areas has contributed to local economic growth and social development. “
This, Professor Fasina extended his appreciation to the traditional leaders of these communities.
Also, the the Vice-Chancellor announced an approval of two new courses, Microbiology and Biochemistry by the NUC, expanding the academic programmes available to part-time students, saying that the overall student population at IPTS which now surpasses 6,000, was a testament alluding to its rapid growth and widespread appeal.
In his concluding remarks, Professor Fasina advised the newly admitted students to remain disciplined, shun social vices, and focus on their academic pursuits while reiterating the institution’s zero tolerance for misconduct and other attendant vices.
He also urged the host communities to continue providing a supportive environment conducive to learning and personal growth.
He went on: “This visible scorecards we all see today underscore FUOYE s commitment to offering accessible, quality education to a broader audience and its dedication to contributing to the social and economic development of Ekiti State.”
Earlier, during an exclusive chat with FUOYE News at the university s 5th Orientation Ceremony, Associate Professor, Omolade Adeleke, Director of the Institute of Part-time Studies (IPTS) at Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), highlighted the rapid growth of the Institute and credited the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fasina, for spearheading its expansion across Ekiti State.
He said : “FUOYE’s Institute of Part-Time Studies is one of the fastest-growing part-time programmes in Nigeria’s universities today.
“This success reflects the committed leadership of the university, especially the Vice-Chancellor, who places great importance on accessible education. “
However, Adeleke emphasized that Professor Fasina s vision for extending part-time education beyond Oye-Ekiti had led to establishing satellite campuses in neighbouring communities, such as Ire-Ekiti, Ikole-Ekiti, Ayedun-Ekiti, and Ifaki-Ekiti, where students now benefit from FUOYE s resources close to home.
Adeleke revealed that the Institute had grown significantly, with students’ enrollment rising from fewer than 1,000 to over 6,000.
This surge, he explained, was supported by FUOYE s compliance with National Universities Commission (NUC) standards, securing approval for all 26 departments under IPTS following a recent NUC validation visit.
He went on : “The NUC assessed our adherence to academic standards for part-time programmes and gave FUOYE high marks. “
Accordingly, Adeleke attributed the growth to strategic planning and unwavering support from the university administrators.
Meanwhile, during the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, represented by Professor Wasiu Ali Oyedokun, Dean of the Students Affairs Division, welcomed the newly-admitted students, congratulating them on joining one of Nigeria s fastest-growing universities.
He noted FUOYE s achievement as the third most subscribed university in the country by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) linked to “Professor Fasina’s student-friendly Vice-Chancellor who is focused on making learning accessible as possible. “
Oyedokun also commended Associate Professor Adeleke for his dedication to expanding IPTS satellite campuses, assuring students that they were in “the right place,” with FUOYE s stable academic calendar ensuring timely graduation.
He, however, encouraged students to communicate openly with the Institute’s staff to address any concerns promptly.
Representing the university s Registrar, Mr. Mufutau Ibrahim, was Mr. Sunday Akinkunmi, Head of Personnel Affairs, who shared the university’s vision and mission with the new students.
He echoed FUOYE s status as a leading institution in Nigeria and one of the most sought-after universities in the southwest.
He said : “Our stable academic calendar reflects our priority on students’ welfare,”
He further emphasized FUOYE s commitment to producing globally competitive graduates through a dedicated faculty comprising top experts in their fields.
“The degrees you will earn here are full and standard, no less than those awarded by other reputable institutions. “
Akinkunmi urged
the students to work hard and uphold the university s values as ambassadors.
In his closing remarks, Akinkunmi congratulated the students for gaining admission into FUOYE, urging them to adopt the university’s vision of excellence and productivity. He also advised adherence to university regulations and the cultivation of positive relationships to enhance their academic journey.
Associate Professor Adeleke concluded by commending the Fasina-led administration for its investment in infrastructure, noting the construction of two new lecture halls, with two additional buildings and perimeter fencing in progress to support IPTS growing student population.
