Prof Oladipo Proffers Solution for Universities’ Survival Amidst Dwindling Funding

By Calista Oyeoba / Posted November 29, 2024

The Vice Chancellor Thomas Adewumi University (TAU), Oko, Kwara state, Prof. Franscisca Oladipo, has disclosed that institutional funds, accessing grants and collaboration with the private sector are ways universities and polytechnic can pull through in today’s world and also make impact in the society

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Oladipo, who is a professor of computer science, made this declaration during a zoom discussion with some journalists. She highlighted that higher schools need to think outside the box to access more funding as the challenging times has restricted the ability of school founders or the state, to do it alone.

The university’s Vice Chancellor showcased the institution’s achievements over the past four years, including collaborations with local and international universities, where she was able to access over $178,000 in aids/grants. She stated that the goal is to secure over $5 million in grants in the next few years.

To ensure continuity, the university is focusing on securing grants, and partnering with private sector. This approach acknowledges that no single proprietor, including the government, can provide all the necessary resources.

In terms of cost reduction, she revealed that the institution has put in place some measures such as generating electricity through solar power and using smart infrastructures on campus.

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According to her, “in about four years that we came into being, we have shown excellence in the manner we conduct our affairs.”

“This is because we know that securing grants, instituting endowments and partnering with the private sector to get things done is a sure way of surviving”, she said.

Oladipo said their emphasis on science and technology has placed the university as one of the fastest growing schools of specialized tech training in the country.

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“We were licensed in 2021 and got our full operational licence in September this year. We started with 13 academic programmes and we now have 27 fully accredited programmes. From three faculties we now have seven. By January 2022, we were rated 252nd in Nigeria by Webo metrics and Times Higher Education, THE and now, we are number 41 in the country.

“We are building a reputation in the teaching of Nursing, Computer Science, Law, Mass Communication, Engineering among others. We also ensure that our students get at least two international certifications while undergoing their courses of study. We also have work study scheme among others.

“We have a very flexible payment structure to make things easy for our students and their parents. You pay thrice and even if you have not paid a kobo, you are not sent away from campus.

“We thank our proprietor that the focus of setting up the university is not about making profit but giving back to the society. He has been of tremendous assistance in the provision of infrastructure,” she added.

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On the call for the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), to support private universities, the vice chancellor opined that private universities can also help in training manpower for the society.

“We are advocating that private universities be included in the support being given tertiary institutions by TETFund. As leaders in private universities, we are calling for an amendment to the law establishing the Fund to accommodate private universities.