13th Convocation: KWASU Rolls Out Milestones, Hails Gov. AbdulRazaq

Fifty – four (54) law graduates of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, comprising of the first and second sets have been called to the Bar this year.

Similarly, the institution’s  fourth year medical students have resumed at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital ( KWASUTH), Ilorin.

The vice chancellor of the University, Prof Shaykh – Luqman Jimoh disclosed these during a press conference heralding the 13th convocation of the institution.

Jimoh attributed the milestones achieved by the University to the support of the visitor to the institution and Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

” These two developments are milestones we have long waited for as KWASU continues to train and produce critical workforce for the different sectors,” Jimoh said.

The vice chancellor expressed delight that academic activities have resumed fully at the two satellite campuses of the university at Osi( Kwara south) and Ilesha – Baruba( Kwara north).

” The success of the take – off of these two campuses belongs to the visitor to Kwara State University and Governor of the state, His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON,whose  doggedness has resulted in the realisation of the dream of  three functional campuses of Kwara State University. We sincerely thank Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the commitment.

” I must also commend the Olosi of Osi,Oba Salihu Arowobeku1, the Emir of Ilesha- Baruba , Prof Halidu Abubakar,  and the entire Osi and Ilesha- Baruba communities for warmly welcoming staff and students of KWASU into their midst. This is just like the Malete community welcomed us  when the University began 16 years ago,” he stated.

Jimoh proudly announced that Dr Mustapha Kabiru and Dr Adesina Mutalub, both of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, separately won the National Research Fund grant, amounting to an excess of N35m.

He disclosed that Dr Ololade AbdulRahman and Dr Judith Falola- Olasunkanmi of the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, each won the Future Africa Research Leadership Fellowship, South Africa, adding that both research grants exceed $50,000 , while Dr AbdulRahman and Dr Falola- Olasunkanmin are the only Nigerians on the funder’s list  of  22 winners this year.

” The culture of research and grant winning among our students is still active. During the 14th undergraduate research day, 44 of our students received grants of N100,000 each to undertake various research projects. This is our strategic investment in promising ideas and future breakthroughs from our students,” Jimoh said.

On community service and entpreneurship, the vice chancellor said the institution currently runs four centres for women development located in Ilorin, Osi, Ilesha- Baruba and Malete, adding that ” 125 women have so far graduated with skills in making ready – to- wear female clothes and men’s caps. They have also been empowered with industrial sewing machines, android phones for e- marketing, and mentorship to guide the establishment of their businesses.

” For the second year running, KWASU Microfinance Bank gave out agric- loans to support seven selected farmer associations in and around Malete area. With this initiative, we are leveraging our pull of experts and resources for the development of local communities and to drive food production and enhance food availability” .

The University is graduating 8,119 students for 2024/2025 academic session with 82 students bagging First Class Honours; 1, 986 second class honours( upper division), 4,195 second class ( lower division), 1, 355 third class, , 426 Masters and 82 Ph.D.

And on Thursday ( today), the convocation lecture titled ” Universities in the Age of Quantum Thinking: Redefining Quality, Relevance and Innovation through Emerging Technologies” will be delivered by the former executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Peter Okebukola.

The grand finale of the convocation cewmonies  will hold on Saturday when the University convenes for the convocation of  the award of First and Postgraduate Degrees and prizes.