Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile Ife Osun State,Professor Eyitope Ogunmodede says inadequate funding remains one of the greatest challenges facing the Institution.
Professor Ogunmodede told journalists during a press parley to mark the 60th anniversary of the Institution that the Federal subvention was grossly inadequate to run the University, affecting service delivery and capability in teaching, research as well as community responsibility.
The Vice Chancellor said research activities of the institution was being sustained through foreign grants, with support from the Education Trust Fund.
He noted that in the face of declining government subvention, the pressure of expansion and the unwillingness of students to pay commensurate tuition fees, worsened by ageing infrastructure, the University had been compelled to explore alternative sources of funding.
Professor Ogunmodede explained that OAU had recorded significant achievements in all its areas of competencies,particularly in learning, research and community service leading to innovations and patents in the areas of Health, Drug, Agriculture and Technology.
According to the OAU helmsman,The University pioneered kidney transplant in Nigeria in 2002, conducted the first separation of Siamese twins in sub Sahara African and did a Cochlear Implantation.
Professor Ogunmodede hinted that all the ninety academic programmes in the Institution enjoyed full accreditation of the National University Commission, NUC while approval has been secured for fresh courses including Mass Communications.
Also Speaking, the new Chairman of the University Governing Council, Owelle Oscar Udoji expressed assurance that OAU will break fresh ground in research and contribution to National Development.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Gambia who came in to sign a memorandum of understanding with OAU, Professor Faqir Anjum thanked Nigeria for her contributions to the Educational development of Gambia.
Obafemi Awolowo University was established on the 8th of June 1961 as University of Ife by the then government of Western Region of Nigeria.
It had its name changed to Obafemi Awolowo University in 1987 in honour of the late First Premier Minister of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo following his death in 1987.
Akinola Adenitan
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