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Correspondent TUNDE OYEKOLA writes on how the University of Ilorin is aiming to elevate Nigerian universities’ global rankings with a new initiative tagged U-INSPIRE AWARD
A former Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Universities Commission, Professor Peter Okebukola, says there is little to rejoice about, that only one Nigerian university is among the 1,000 top-ranking universities in the world.
According to Okebukola, it is even more worrisome that the country’s highest ranked university, Covenant University, is a privately owned institution, leaving public universities on its trail.
Okebukola stated this at the University of Ilorin, where the Innovative Skills and Pioneering Entrepreneurship Award (U-INSPIRE AWARD) programme is held.
The U-INSPIRE AWARD programme, according to the management of the University of Ilorin, will prepare students for internships, job volunteering, and hands-on skills for them to be relevant in today’s competitive world.
The ultimate target of the U-ASPIRE AWARD is to improve the future global rankings of Nigerian universities and their products,
The U-INSPIRE AWARD programme will also prepare students for internships, job volunteering, and hands-on -skills that would position the undergraduates ahead of today’s competitive world, the federal tertiary institution added.
Speaking, Okebukola stressed that there was a need to improve the future global ranking of universities and the quality of their products alike.
He said, “The global ranking of Nigerian universities is nothing to write home about as only one university – Covenant University, a private institution owned by a mission, ranked as one of the 1000 high-ranking universities across the world.
“Of the over 274 universities that Nigeria parades, only one made the list of the first 1,000, called Band A universities.
“Of the first 1000 universities, only Covenant University was numbered among the rank of 801-1000 called Band A universities.
“Next are the Band B universities (1001-1200). Only 4 universities made the list namely, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ibadan, Landmark University and University of Lagos.”
At the event, speakers stressed that the U-INSPIRE AWARD programme provided an opportunity for would-be students to work out a suitable time to learn a skill that is different from their course of study.
Prof Okebukola added that people were better equipped if they had academic and vocational skills.
The programme, which is an online vocational training, aims at equipping students to find lasting solutions to the rampant unemployment among graduates occasioned by the socioeconomic reality in the country.
The initiative, which will also partner with captains of industries, including artistes with the ivory tower, will take on registered students on vocational skills to complement their academic pursuits.
Speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor AbdulWahab Egbewole, SAN, said the programme was meant to equip students with skills they would acquire in their leisure time.
Egbewole said, “The general stance with graduates in most of our institutions now is that they do not possess the required skills, herein lies the gap this programme will fill. This partnership enriches our students’ educational experience and ensures they develop the practical skills required by today’s fast-evolving industries. Though optional, students will be issued certificates after the training.”
The Vice-Chancellor explained that students from other institutions were welcome to the programme as he noted that the entire process, till certificate issuance, was online.
“It is also a key part of our mission to achieve vision 1:10:500, a bold step toward positioning and repositioning ourselves as a world-class university.
“Achieving this status means prioritising our students and their success. Their ability to thrive, both during and beyond their time here, hinges on acquiring lifelong skills that prepare them not only to graduate in character and learning but also to contribute meaningfully to society as this is the ultimate essence of their training.
“This is where the U-INSPIRE AWARD plays a crucial role in ensuring that our students are equipped not only with degrees but also with essential, practical and soft skills to navigate an increasingly competitive global workforce.
“U-INSPIRE AWARD is an innovative, creative and holistic program designed to empower students for success.
“This unique two-phase initiative aims at ensuring that students do not just pass through the university but that the university leaves a lasting and transformative impact on them.
“Throughout their studies, students will have the opportunity to earn individual certificates for each component of the programme.
“These certificates, issued jointly by our esteemed industry partners and the UNILORIN, are more than mere qualifications. They symbolise the valuable collaboration between academia and industry.
“Upon completing their studies, students will present a portfolio of accomplishments and apply for the prestigious U-INSPIRE AWARD. This prestigious recognition will only be granted to those who meet the rigorous requirements we have established,” he said.
He, however, appreciated the industry partners for their contributions, describing them as pivotal to the success of the programme.
“By collaborating with us, the partners (industries) are not only investing in the future of our students but also fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, within your respective fields. You are positioning yourselves for the bright minds we are to be producing in Unilorin.
“The certificates, jointly issued by the industrial partners and the University of Ilorin, will serve as a testament to the skills and experiences our students have gained,” he stressed.
Chairman of the programme’s implementation committee, Professor Rasheed Jimoh, said the platform would expand students’ entrepreneurial skills.
Speaking, Jimoh, a professor of Computer Science at the University of Ilorin, said it would also bridge the wide gap between the education system in the country and the industry.
He said, “We have seen that the major gap in the Nigerian education system is the wide gap between the industry and the academia because when students graduate definitely where they are going in the industry.
“Of course, the curriculum does not specify what is obtainable. You know it is a dynamic world. Even the expectation of the industry keeps changing. So, the only way we can bridge the gap is by bringing the industry closer to the students and trying to bridge the gap.
“And that is one of the goals of the program like this where we say captains of industry across all disciplines should be part of the training of the students, apart from the certificate from the university.
“We are trying to introduce them to people who are doing well in their field so that they can see that there are a lot of opportunities.
“And apart from that, we are also talking about some soft skills. Some students will be brilliant, but they still lack some skills like interpersonal communication, leadership, and ideation.
“In the 21st century, you have to come up with an idea; somebody will assist you to nurture that idea to maturity and you can make a life out of that idea. We believe that students of the University of Ilorin and others will benefit. It is going to be community service.”
Asked if the industrial training would be a substitute for SIWES, Jimoh responded that it would not interrupt the student’s academic work.
According to him, “This U-INSPIRE AWARD is quite outside the normal SIWES programme.
“It will have the internship component. If we have the facility on-ground on campus, the industry will come and train them here. If the facility is located in Lagos, the student will go to Lagos. If it is in Ilorin, the student will go to the company’s address in Ilorin or Abuja as the case may be.
“So this one is for a particular component based on the choice of the student, it is different from SIWES. SIWES is to have practical experience in your field of discipline. But what we are talking about here is, I am studying Computer Science but I’m interested in Fashion Designing. So, it’s a different ball game.
“If you are talking of industry here and we have a sewing machine at the College of Technology, the partner can come to the college to train our students maybe two hours per week depending on the number of hours of practicals because to be certified, you need 20/30 hours practicals,15 hours theory.
“Based on that, the student will decide his/her data of lessons based on his/her timetable and that’s the flexibility in a program like this.
“On the acceptability of the certificate, Jimoh expressed optimism that it would be recognised in Nigeria and foreign countries.
“In the IT world, when a graduate finishes from the university and wants a better job, even before they graduate, people will ask ‘do you know how to do this?’ The moment you can demonstrate your skill, forget the paper certificate, you are already hired.
“Even some of our undergraduates are earning up to $500 already. The world has changed from the physical certificate to ‘what do you know?’ Definitely beyond the certification, we can give them an award as long as they give the needed guarantee.”
He also explained that the school would not stop after the training.
“The school, after issuing certificates, will link successful students with captains of industry for the realisation of their dreams and the courses of studies.”
The acting Director of the Center for Research Development and In-house Training at the University of Ilorin and a member of the implementation committee for the programme, Dr Abdulkarim Oloyede, said it was very important to the students.
He stated, “It is an all-round programme of acquiring skills and an outlet for the students. This is very important to the students because it makes them all-round. They won’t be students who are just graduates of Chemistry but can do something practically.
“This programme is going to encompass everything. For example, if you are an athlete, it will make you a better athlete. So, we are not looking at Physics, Chemistry, Biology, it is all about skills, how you can develop your skills, even things that are as simple as public speaking, you have to acquire the needed skill.”
