As part of discharging its institutional mentorship duties, the University of Lagos received a delegation from James Hope University, Lagos on Thursday, February 29, 2024.
The delegation, which included the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Paul Vita; renowned Economist and Consultant, Professor Olu Akinkugbe; and the Registrar of the institution, Bede Uzoma Achugamonu, was received by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Research), Professor Bola Oboh, along with the Ag. Registrar, Mrs. Olakunle Makinde; and the Director of Academic Planning, Professor Mathew Olusoji Ilori.
The visiting Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Paul Vita, revealed that they were in UNILAG on the directive of the National Universities Commission (NUC) for them to understudy the operations of the university.
He averred that the University of Lagos has long been recognized as a beacon of higher education in Nigeria and beyond, noting that its commitment to research, innovation, and community engagement is truly commendable.
“…We hope to learn from your experiences in curriculum development, student support services, research initiatives, and industry partnerships”, he said.
Professor Akinkugbe, who is the founding Dean of the James Hope University School of Business, also explained that the primary objective of the visit was for them to gain insights into the best practices, academic standards, staffing, and operational procedures of the University of Lagos.
His words: “I must confess that we are bringing top-notch facilities with quality programmes; but, it has to be crafted in such a way that it will make a lot of difference. That’s not to say that we are inventing any wheel but to say that we are actually oiling the wheel such that we move smoothly. That is what we bring to the Nigerian education space”.
Professor Akinkugbe, whose research and teaching span almost every region of the world, disclosed that the institution has since taken off with the Executive Master of Business Administration program (MBA) (Full Time), six (6) Master of Science programmes, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programme.
“By understudying a well-established institution like the University of Lagos, James Hope University aims to enhance its own academic programmes and administrative processes”, he added.
In her remarks, the DVC (Academics & Research), Professor Oboh underscored the importance of the exercise and assured the team of the readiness of the University of Lagos to ensure a thorough evaluation of the institution’s programme in terms of the required standard, as stipulated by the NUC.
During their time at the University of Lagos, the delegation engaged in various activities such as meetings with faculty members, administrators, and students of the University of Lagos Business School (ULBS). They also toured campus facilities, including lecture halls, libraries, laboratories, and administrative offices. These interactions provided valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and networking between the two institutions.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Micheal Ogo-Oluwa Joshua
