….Varsity Set To Graduate 1,188 At 16th Convocation
The Vice-Chancellor, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, Prof. Jeremiah Ojediran has urged government to support private institutions of higher learning in the country to enhance human capital development.
According to him, private universities operate within the same landscape as public ones, and that the incursion of private investors into the educational landscape is basically not for profit but born out of the love for Nigeria and the desire to contribute positively to human capital development.
Speaking on Wednesday during the press conference to announce programmes for the 16th convocation of the university Prof. Ojediran said that if private incursions into other aspects of the economy are encouraged with all manners of support from the government, those in the education sector deserve same consideration.
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He said; “Why are investors in the education sector handled with so much disdain?
“Meanwhile, we operate on the same theatre of engagements in the Public Sector, producing quality manpower for the development of Nigeria, and, our products perform excellently, on neutral grounds, against products of the public institution,” he stated.
He explained that students from private universities has helped to improve the human capital development of the country tremendously, yet they were neither included in the recently NELFUND student loan nor the TETfund interventions for universities.
“Students in private universities across the country are citizens of this country and the government needs to support them too,” he added.
Speaking on the development in the university which spanned two decades, as Bellstech is in its 20th year, Prof Ojediran said the university runs a community and that is why it has been able to be a bit far ahead as it utilizes a variety of resources as contributed by each of citizens who identifies with the vision and ideals of the institution.
“We are therefore glad of the inputs of individuals and corporate organizations, who have identified with the vision and partnered with the Bells University of Technology, by endowing infrastructures towards improved service delivery.”
Prof. Ojediran said programmes at Bellstech have always been accredited by the various regulatory bodies, both governmental and professional after rigorous steps are put in place to ensure that they are up to par.
“In the course of the year, matured programmes were presented for re-accreditation and we are glad to note that we got full accreditation in all.”
Highlighting programmes for the 16th convocation ceremony, Prof Ojediran said that the convocation lecture entitled ‘Leveraging Science and Technology for Boosting the Economy, Youth Employment and National Security’ will be delivered by Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola on Friday, November 1st, 2024.
He said that a total of 969 students will graduate with first degree while 219 postgraduates which cut across Doctorate, Masters, and Postgraduate Diploma will also be released at the convocation ceremony on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024.
He also disclosed that the university will be graduating 91 First Class at the ceremony which cut across the five colleges of the institution.
“The conferment of Honorary Degrees on former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola and Executive Director, Sahara Group, Mr. Temitope Shonubi will also take place at the convocation ceremony,” he added.
Thanking stakeholders including the Bells University Parents Forum, the VC said the 16th convocation for the university uninterrupted, is showing the establishment of a smooth running system without disruptions, despite the global shut down, COVID-19 Pandemic.
“This is the 20th year of coming into existence, as a child of vision. It marks our arrival into distinction as a Centre of Excellence with giant strides and progress, despite all manners of challenges.”
BV.
