Soun facilitates int’l linkage for funding prospects in LAUTECH, Ag. VC Kalilu reveals
Femi OGUNLANA
The Acting Vice Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Oyo, state, Professor Rasaq Olatunde ROM Kalilu, has expressed profound gratitude to the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye for linking the institution with a university in the United States of America for collaboration and also for creating prospect for funding via grant.
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Professor Kalilu, according to a press release by Rev’d Peter Olaleye, Coordinating Assistant to Oba Olaoye, and obtained by ogbomosoinsightonline.com, made this disclosure during a familiarization visit of the monarch to LAUTECH Monday.
Kalilu, a frontliner in the contest for the appointment of substantive vice chancellor for the institution, recalled how the monarch threw down a gauntlet to him the first time they met disclosing the Oba underlined emphatically he did not expect LAUTECH to be complacent with being number one state university but to step higher and rub shoulders with the best in the world.
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“Our revered traditional ruler has set rolling a paradigm shift in the university as His Majesty has connected us with a United States of America’s institution towards facilitating grant for us for development.
“Kabiyesi told me that he would never be satisfied with the university topping the table of state’s universities, that he would rather be looking forward to a time when LAUTECH will be operating like, and competing with the best universities at the international stage.”
He therefore lauded the Oba for not only throwing down a challenge but that he had worked to support the institution in the drive to meet up.
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The Professor of Art and Art History enthused further Kabiyesi had fulfilled a promise by “connecting us with the who’s who in the US – that is, bodies that can help to attract grants.”
He enthused the university will be looking forward for the materialization of the prospective grant support.
In response, Oba Olaoye appreciated Prof Kalilu and his management team, stressing LAUTECH is “a pride of Ogbomoso and Oyo state.”
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The paramount ruler also took time to commend the Oyo state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for “his sacrifice which helped to bring the institution back to life.”
Oba Olaoye charged the VC and his team to put in immense efforts to make the university renown in certain chosen fields as it is obtained in leading international institutions noting that would assist to attract foreign grants.
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He observed the school already had a track record, and so averred it could be the springboard for attracting collaborations nationally and internationally if the push is made strategically.
Pledging 100 percent support, Oba Olaoye urged the management to always carry the alumni along to ensure they give back substantially, individually and collectively, to their alma mater, revealing most foreign universities have alumni members serving as institutions’ secretaries.
The monarch also took time to take a look at some facilities in the school for assessment and to further see how he can collaborate with the institution. He was at the College of Health Sciences to inspect some new laboratories and a TETFUND-executed hostel.
