THE newly installed vice chancellor of the premier university of education in Nigeria, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, says that his vision for the university in the next five years is to work towards making it a centre of excellence in education.
He made the disclosure last week Wednesday at his investiture as the fourth vice chancellor of the institution by the pro-chancellor and chairman governing council, Professor Olufemi Bamiro, which took place at the TETFund 2012 Special Intervention Hall, Ijagun.
Professor Arigbabu, upon taking the oath of office, said he would make case for TETFund to provide further support to TASUED as a referral institution and centre of excellence in education for the establishment of technology-enhanced teaching laboratories and for infrastructural material production workshop.
He said he would also Centre for the improvement of Teaching and Learning (CITEL) to promote quality teaching, build teaching and educational leadership, engage in evidence-based, innovative and sustainable research, among others.
The mathematician promised to reposition the institution’s academic programmes, identify deficiencies, address the present skill gaps, particularly at the secondary school level, with respect to the newly introduced trade and entrepreneurial subjects; institute TASUED annual guest lecture and research fair, as well as organise a colloquium for employer-industries (end users) and universities.
“Postgraduate education is a growth area for all leading international universities. Therefore, TASUED as a premier university of education carries the burden of showing the light, and should therefore design and adapt prospective students and national needs, including pedagogy and andragody, which will be vigorously pursued within the first year of my assumption of office,” he said.
He also promised to invest heavily in ICT and work on adapting technology to achieve effective and efficient utilisation of available human and material resources.
Arigbabu added: “A staff welfare committee committed to the physical, social and emotional well-being of staff would be put in place. Efforts would be made to maintain and sustain high staff morale through prompt payment of salaries and allowance.
“I will leverage on my experience and exposure as the pioneer dean of students for over six years to ensure improved students emotional, social and intellectual well-being.”
Earlier in his speech, the pro-chancellor and chairman governing council, Professor Olufemi Bamiro, said it was the first that someone from within the university had emerged as the vice chancellor of the university, “after advertisement and due process in line with the extant law without any bias and sentiment.”
He congratulated the new vice chancellor on his well-deserved appointment and sought the full co-operation and support of the university community for his administration to enable him achieve the common vision and mission for the growth and development of the university.
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