State of Nigeria’s economy, insecurity responsible for poor Webometrics ranking of Nigerian university ― FUTA VC

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, (FUTA) Prof Adeola Fuwape, has attributed the poor webometrics ranking of Nigerian higher institutions to the state of Nigeria economy and insecurity in the country, saying no Nigerian university is in the top 1,000 in the world.

Fuwape who blamed the operating environment in the country for the poor performance of Nigerian universities in the webometric ranking of universities identified some factors which include the inability to secure more funds from stakeholders, lack of international recognition and prestige contributing to the poor ranking.

Fuwape who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, at a press conference heralding the 32nd convocation ceremony which coincided with the 40th anniversary of the university said also listed inadequate infrastructure, scarce use of web for publishing, teaching, research and learning activities compared to their counterparts in other parts of the world.

According to him, none of the 170 public and private universities in the country are among the best 1,000 universities in the world despite the several breakthrough and research grants won by the Nigerian universities.

He said that despite the security, economic and energy challenges confronting the country, same criteria are being used for the ranking universities in developed, developing and underdeveloped countries.

The Vice-Chancellor however said despite the challenges being faced by academics in the country, scholars in FUTA had won research grants worth millions of dollars, locally and internationally.

He listed the grants to include, the N12 million grant of Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) won by Dr Folasade Dahunsi of Department of Computer Engineering, N39.7 million TETFund grant won by Prof Emmanuel Fasakin, N40 million won for a research project on plastic wastages refining for the production of value-added petrochemical products and N45 million TETFund research grant for a research project on quality assessment of banana edible film incorporated with bioactive-rich Ocimum for peanut-based snack won by Prof Adebanjo Ayobamidele.

According to him, FUTA has maintained its ranking as the best university of technology in country by the latest webometric ranking saying none of the courses in the university has been denied accreditation by the National University Commission (NUC).

He disclosed that five percent of the graduating students of the school will be graduating with first class in various coursee of the institution.

Giving the breakdown, the VC explained that out of 3,205 students that would bag first degrees, 160 students got first class, 872 had second class upper division, 1,483 second-class lower division, 222 had third class while six got pass.

He said the best graduating student, Miss Juliet Taiwo Oluyale, from the Department of Building graduated with a CGPA of 4.89.

He said three eminent scholars would be recognized with the honour of professor emeritus in recognition of their contributions to the academia, which included, Profs Ekundayo Adeyinka of School of Environmental Technology, Olugboyega Ademosun of School of Engineering and Samuel Falaki of Computer Science.

He said the programmes lined up for the convocation and Anniversary ceremony include, convocation lecture which will be delivered by Prof Pat Utomi, with the title, “Innovation Technology and Prospect of Posterity in Nigeria.”

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