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The campus of the Technical University (TechU), Ibadan, would become an industrial hub in the next three years as the Bank of Industry (BOI) and some private companies are already getting approvals to build workshops and factories on the university campus.
The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ayobami Salami, who disclosed this in an interaction with reporters on Thursday, said the partnerships being undertaken is to fulfill the university’s aim of concentrating on both practical and theory in its academic training.
He said BOI had already expressed readiness to work with the institution while many private companies have submitted proposals.
Tech U currently runs the faculties of Natural Sciences and Engineering. But Prof. Salami pointed out that students were also being trained in entrepreneurial studies as well as French classes to make them versatile in another foreign language.
The Vice Chancellor also revealed that the pioneer students of the institution will matriculate next Friday, adding that the Chancellor, Dr Tunde Afolabi, will also be installed the same day.
According to him, the appointment of Dr Afolabi as the Chancellor underscores the seriousness of the Oyo State Government in ensuring that the institution delivers a different model of university education in Nigeria.
He said the chancellor is a geologist whose company plays in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria and the United States of America.
Salami revealed that about 150 students will matriculate on Friday, stressing that the number far beat the original forecast of 50 pioneer students. He attributed the success to TechU’s to acceptance by members of the public.
He said the number could grow as many students were still completing the process of changing institution of choice because TechU commenced activities four months after the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) was written.