Unilorin Fresh students to get PC tablets

All newly admitted students of the University of Ilorin will have a PC tablet each to boost the institution's ICT drive and enhance e-communication between the students and their lecturers.


The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, disclosed this last Wednesday (October 2, 2013) while answering questions on a special Unilorin 89.3 FM live interview programme, 'Talk to the VC', to mark his one year in office.

The media chat, moderated by Segun Alabi of Unilorin 89.3 FM, has Abiodun Fagbemi of The Guardian, Layiwola Olarenwaju, Daily Sun; Arowona Abdulazeez, Nigerian Pilot; Hammed Shittu, This Day, and Olusegun Adebayo of Youth Spring news magazine, as members of the interview panel.

Prof. Ambali said, “We hope to start a new era with those coming in because we have to empower them to face the challenges of the ICT world,” adding that “all the curriculum and courseware will be on the tablet so that you have the whole classroom on your hand.”

The Vice-Chancellor charged the students to concentrate on their primary reason for coming to the University, which is learning, noting that his administration is committed to providing a comfortable environment for the students with adequate accommodation facilities on campus.

Prof. Ambali also noted that the University was committed to producing graduates endowed with requisite entrepreneurship skills in order to prepare them for the larger society.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the University, in addition to reviewing its academic curriculum every five years to reflect current trends, is partnering professional bodies and industries to ensure that graduates are exposed to skills that will be of value to them and to the development of the society at large. He disclosed that the Federal Government, through the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFund), has approved funds for the establishment of a permanent Entrepreneurship Centre in the University.

The Professor of Veterinary Medicine identified improved security on campus, staff development, infrastructural developments, and improved internet connectivity as some of the achievements recorded in the last one year under his leadership.

Prof. Ambali also noted that significant steps are being taken to boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the University through such ventures as the University Plantation and the Zoo as well as through alumni contributions.

The Vice-Chancellor then expressed appreciation to staff members of the University for their commitment and dedication towards the development of the institution.

Describing the journey so far as “a good experience”, Professor Ambali appreciated God for making it possible for him to have been able to make a difference in the lives of staff and students of the University.

The Vice-Chancellor, who described leadership as living by example, attributed the peaceful atmosphere that pervades the University campus to the transparency in the management of the University affairs and the fact that the authority always carries all stakeholders along in all its dealings.

Prof. Ambali pointed out that the contributions of the University of Ilorin has been widely acknowledged in terms of research output, stable academic calendar, and the production of highly skilled and disciplined graduates.

He noted that in the last 12 months, security of lives and property has been improved upon, and, as such, people can move around freely while members of staff can comfortably stay in their various offices and laboratories without fear of any security threat.

The Vice Chancellor submitted that the University has been able to sponsor staff to conferences, improve on the access to internet connectivity as well as support the students in carrying out their educational and social activities, adding that the University is working to be one of the topmost Universities in the world.

Projecting into the future, Prof. Ambali pledged to continue to support staff welfare, security of lives and property on campus, and provision of a favourable environment for learning and research, and improvement on lecture delivery by providing better lecture rooms.