12 Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA students to complete undergraduate programme at America University.

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA Professor Adebiyi Daramola has admonished the fourth set of students who recently proceeded to the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America for the completion of their undergraduate programmes to sustain and improve on the already established positive image of the University during their academic sojourn in America. He stated this at a departure send-off organized for the 12 students who will be in the United States for two sessions under the aegis of the existing academic exchange programme and memorandum of understanding between both institutions.

Reviewing the performance of students in the collaboration since inception of the 4+1+1 programme under which selected FUTA students complete the last year of their undergraduate programme in FAMU and proceed to do their masters, Daramola said, “I am very happy to announce to you that your predecessors in the programme have made us proud. They keep our flag flying and keep making us shine. I want you to make FUTA shine better. Since the programme started, we have received positive reports about our students. They have performed morally and academically well. As I am talking to you, one of them who went in 2014 will be completing his Doctorate in April, 2017. This is a great feat he is almost a Ph.D. holder. That is why I always say sky is not just the limit, but the starting point for the serious type. Therefore, I urge you to utilize this rare opportunity to the best.”

While appreciating the investment of the parents, Daramola said “I congratulate parents for this huge investment into the future. This is because we all know how difficult the Nigerian economy is, especially because of the exchange rate of the naira to foreign currencies. I pray that your investment on these children will never be in vain. They will all succeed and make you and the University proud.”

Daramola admonished the students to justify their parents’ investment and be good ambassadors of their parents, the University and Nigeria. He also assured the University community about his administration’s effort in increasing collaboration with world class Universities. “Our collaboration with world class Universities keep soaring. By next year, our students will be going to Germany. This is because we want them to have opportunities their peers in other Universities in Nigeria don’t have.”

In separate addresses, the Director, International Office, FUTA, Professor Akintunde Akindahunsi, represented by Mr. John Osadeyi, the Chairman, Committee of Deans and Dean, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, SAAT, Professor Shadrach Akindele and the Registrar, Dr. (Mrs.) Modupe Ajayi admonished the students to face their studies and not misuse the opportunity. According to them, America is a land of opportunities open to both success and failure, depending on one’s choice. They implored them to tread the path to success and be good ambassadors of the University.

According to Professor Akindahunsi, FUTA-FAMU collaboration is one of the most active and fruitful MoUs that FUTA currently has. He said efforts are in top gear to increase it for more opportunities.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Oladosun Olayinka of the Department of Metallurgical and Material Engineering (MME) assured the University Management and parents that they will be of good behavior and represent the nation well. He thanked the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola for the opportunity his tenure is offering students through the collaboration with world class Institutions; this he said has made FUTA globally relevant. Expressing their delight, Akintola Taofeek Kayode of the Department of Electrical Electronics Engineering and Obinegbo Oluchukwu Chidinma said they are excited about the opportunity the University has afforded them to be exposed to the outside world.

Taofeek said “I did not expect this coming my way when I started my studies here, but I see it as God’s making. I want to advice other students to study hard because there is no time success cannot come ones way,” while Chidinma said “I am really excited with this achievement. You cannot come by this opportunity in other higher Institutions in Nigeria. It is a rare privilege that should not be abused”.

They both rated FUTA has a great University saying “If you come to FUTA as nobody and leave the same, then something is wrong with you. This is because there is discipline here at FUTA with sound academic training”.

On their expectation at FAMU, they promised to make the best of the opportunity, so as to justify their parents’ investment and that of the University.

The Twelve students in the FUTA- FAMU Class of 2016/2017 are:
S/N NAME DEPARTMENT
1. Adegbulugbe, Oluwanifemi T. Civil Engineering
2. Adeniji, Oluwasegun Samuel Civil Engineering
3. Aderibigbe, Temilola Oluwagbemiga Mathematics
4. Akintola, Taofeek Kayode Electrical & Electronics Engineering
5. Okogbue, Emmanuel Ebube Electrical & Electronics
6. Akingboye, Patricia Odun Crop, Soil & Pest
7. Bilau, Ibrahim Ajao Architecture
8. Fiola, Tolulope E. Industrial Design
9. Ojo, Oluwafemi, Emmanuel Metallurgical & Materials Engineering
10. Oladosu, Olayinka Michael Metallurgical & Materials Engineering
11. Obinegbo, Oluchukwu Chidinma Physics
12. Ologunagba, Damilola Esther Physics