VICE CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE

My Vision and Mission in the University

A New Beginning

It is with great joy that I put this piece across to you this morning. May I first, with every sense of responsibility, commend the vision behind this weekly bulletin, particularly the opportunity given to the Vice Chancellor to address the University community. I have no doubt in my mind that a well informed workforce is a very proactive and productive one.

I resumed as Vice Chancellor on Thursday 12th October, 2006, and as should be expected, this is the time to familiarize myself with the not so new and yet, not so familiar terrain of Adekunle Ajasin University and Akungba-Akoko, its host community. While one is tempted to assume that this could be achieved within a short period of time, I must say that, by the very nature of humans, there will be no end to getting used to the environment and members of the community.

 I have come to this University to partner with you in evolving a great institution; a University that all of us, and indeed every indigene of Ondo State will be proud of. Yes, I acknowledge the giant strides that have taken place before now, but I am convinced that there is still a lot more that is possible. A lot more that we can do and achieve together. The bottom-line is for all of us to come together and work as a team. Teamwork, as they say, makes the dream work. If there is anything I ask of you therefore, it is your dedication and commitment to the very vision of the University and the core values of academic endeavours. Nothing can however be achieved without peace. I appeal to all of you to, therefore, let us work together in a peaceful atmosphere.

I do hope to share with you, in the weeks ahead, more of the vision and outlined programmes of the new administration. But from the little I have seen and observed so far, I am quite certain that I have found an exciting and formidable team to work with. It’s indeed a new beginning.

As you go about your duties this week, I urge you to keep in view the standard of excellence which has become the hallmark of our University. Permit me therefore, to wish you a pleasant working week.

My Vision and Mission

The past week afforded me a good opportunity to interact with most of our staff and a cross section of the students. While I will share with you, in the weeks ahead, some of my thoughts and observations during the various visits, I will like to share with you this week a summary of my Vision and Mission in the University:

1.        Quality of courses – priority to ensure high quality education leading to full accreditation of courses and programmes.

2.          Management of change – Charles Darwin: “It is not the strongest of species that survive nor the most intelligent but the one more responsive to change”.

3.        The University should learn from the mistakes of other Universities and benefit from global developments with the use of information technology. Computerization of the University and making the University 21st century complaint in all its ramifications, teaching, administration, admission, etc.

4         The University shall have a 5-year adjustable and dynamic strategic plan, which shall be developed following a bottoms-up approach with in-built qualitative and quantitative indicators with participation of all stake-holders.

5         The University should establish Linkage Programmes/Agreements with foreign institutions.

6.        Case for improved funding to be made as this would lead to plugging of leakages in the system. Aggressive revenue drives to improve the internally generated revenue base of the University.

7.        Also funding support from foreign donor agencies and bodies should be pursued.

8.        Entrepreneurial courses to be introduced to make students employers of labour after graduation.

9.         Leadership should be by example and discipline should be maintained at all costs. The University should maintain a stable academic calendar. A cultism-free atmosphere shall be a must. 

10.      I would want to avoid over-management and under-leadership. Shall endeavour to carry the people along in the decision-making process particularly working though the Committee system.

Permit me to enlist your support in the realization of these goals because my I firmly believe that my success is your success and your success in my success. Together we can do it and I am sure we will do it.