A German-born philosopher and author of The Power of Now and A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle, once said, “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” Brimming with a grateful heart, the 12th Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS, gradually prepares for his exit from office on Friday, November 11, 2022, by tipping his hat in gratitude to Management and staff of the University for their support and commitment in the last 5 years.
On Monday, October 17, 2022, the Paleoethnobotanist, expressed his appreciation to the community by hosting an evening of cocktails and mocktails. Who else to bring man closer to nature other than he who is distinguished in his studies of human-plant interactions.
He surpassed himself by transcending from the knowledge of plants to championing the cause of innovation and research in the University of Lagos. Testament to this is the University’s exponential rise in the global university rankings.
It is worthy of note that the University’s score in the following areas have risen commendably between the 2020 World University Rankings and that of 2023:
• citations rose from 58.7% to 97.7%
• industry income rose from 34.5% to 40.9%
• international outlook rose from 27.4% to 34.0%
• teaching rose from 15.5% to 18.5%
• research rose from 9.0% to 14.0%
Overall, the University of Lagos which was not captured in the rankings as at 2017 when Professor Ogundipe assumed office, was captured in 2019 and ranked in the 801-1000 range for THE World University Rankings for 2020, steadily rising to the 401-500 range in latest rankings for 2023.
There is so much more to be said of the growth UNILAG has experienced these past few years. The outstanding achievement and direction of Professor Ogundipe’s tenure in office should be studied. It is indeed what scientists would call a vector quantity; it has magnitude as well as direction.
Clinking glasses and swaying to the rhythm of the night, guests savoured the moment and cheered Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, FAS, on to a bountiful future.
