Toye Fisher
“Mentoring is a relationship in which an experienced and knowledgeable individual (usually, a Master- Learner/ senior colleague/mentor) supports a goal-driven colleague (usually, a junior colleague/postgraduate student/mentee) by providing professional knowledge, experiences, and utilizing key skills and personal attributes, to enable that colleague to achieve his/her goals (career achievement/ successful thesis completion, etc).
The relationship is focused on enabling mentees to:
- Develop their skills, Knowledge, and capability
- Facilitate their personal & professional development such that mentees can fulfill their potential
- Progress in their professional life and career.”
These were expressed by a Professor of Soil Science and immediate past Vice-Chancellor Bowen University, Ede Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole in a webinar organized by the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Linkages Programme (DRILP) Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, Nigeria with the theme; “Towards Research Productivity & Career Achievement in a University: Understanding the Mentors’& Mentees’ Role.”
Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole
Speaking further, he harped on the Principles, Roles and Responsibilities of a mentor to their mentees which are well-defined and sacrosanct.
He said: “Mentoring is not giving advice, it is not telling the mentees to ‘do it the way I did it. It’s about motivating and empowering the mentees to identify their issues and goals.”
According to him, “Mentoring aims at helping the mentees find ways of resolving their issues or reaching their goals while understanding and respecting that, the mentee may do things differently to the mentor.”
FUOYE VC, Professor Abayomi Sunday and Ex BOWEN VC, Professor Joshua Ogunwole
Professor Ogunwole, however, stated types of mentors to include;
- Conventional/ Traditional Mentor: The mentor has extensive experience in a specific field & can facilitate the transfer of specific knowledge so that mentees can navigate their career development & enable professional development.
- Career Mentor: Provides guidance & advice on career advancement, motivating mentees to make informed decisions & developing strategies for professional growth & success. Such mentors are experienced in a field or specific industry.
- Peer Mentor: These are individuals at a similar academic level or career (could be within or outside the department) as their mentees. Here, they provide support, share knowledge & offer advice based on their own experiences. The focus here is on collaboration & mutual growth. (experience with Zachary Gundu).
- Reverse Mentor: A younger or less experienced individual mentors a more senior or experienced colleague, often in ‘specialized’ skills and knowledge such as technology, social media, and current trends (Bolaji & MathLab; ANN, etc).
- Life Coach: A life coach is a mentor with a holistic approach to personal growth & development. Aiding in self-discovery, confidence building & life management skills to overcome personal barriers to success. This is provided through motivation, guidance & emotional support.
He commended the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Linkages Programme (DRILP) for “putting this webinar together. It’s a plus for the university especially the role of mentors/ mentees relationship and how it impacts positively the students and researchers in their pursuit of knowledge and exposure.”
Professor Olayide Lawal
Earlier, the host of the webinar and Head of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Linkages Programme (DRILP), Professor Olayide Lawal, in his opening address, welcomed and expressed his appreciation to participants for their attendance while emphasizing the importance and benefits to be derived from events of this nature.
While apologizing on behalf of the Vice- Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, who was unavoidably absent due to some other pressing engagements of the university that required his attention, Prof. Lawal lauded participants’ attendance, describing it as impressive.
Meanwhile, highlight of the event was a Question and Answer session where participants had opportunity to interact and share ideas and views on the topic of the day.
