The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, has stated that universities worldwide receive significant support from their alumni, which plays a vital role in the progress and growth of their alma mater. He also emphasized that these contributions are crucial for the survival of the university.
Prof. Ige made these remarks on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, during the presentation of a Toyota Previa minivan donated to the Institute of Part-Time Programmes of the institution by the 2021/22 class of Master of Public Administration students.
He commended the students, especially Hon. Festus Akingbaso, the lawmaker representing Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency, for coming together and pooling resources to achieve this feat.
Additionally, he called on other stakeholders in the education sector to contribute to the University.
As the Vice Chancellor put it, '’Alumni are the backbone of universities worldwide, and even though our university is young, what we are witnessing proves that the future is bright for us.
"I commend this class of our MPA programme for their unity of purpose in working towards this achievement. If we witness similar gestures in all our faculties, institutes, and departments, the burden of funding the University will be significantly reduced.
“I also appeal to every other stakeholder in the education sector to assist the University. This gesture serves as an eye-opener for all our students. While we used to receive donations of office equipment and generators, the recent donation of vehicles is a welcome development that warms our hearts."
In his remarks, the Director of the IPTP, Dr. Bayo Fasunwon, commended the students for their goodwill gesture while emphasizing that the Institute never solicited anything from its students. He further stated that efforts would be intensified to sustain the integrity and wide acceptance of the Institute's programmes.
Earlier, the Class Governor of the 2021/22 MPA set, Barr. Pere Yanyangbini, expressed that the class decided to make the donation due to the pleasant disposition of the staff and lecturers, and as a way to give back to the institution that has groomed them to meet societal challenges.
He hoped that the donated vehicle would ease the workload of the staff and the stress of transporting personnel and materials of the Institute.
Flanked by some other members of the class, Yanyangbini specially commended Hon. Akingbaso for shouldering the lion's share of the financial commitment needed to purchase the vehicle.
The Institute of Part-Time Programmes of Adekunle Ajasin University offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses on a part-time basis at its Akure and Akungba
