Dear esteemed members of our distinguished University Community,
It is with great pleasure and a profound sense of optimism that I welcome you all to the beginning of a new academic session, the Academic Year 2023/2024. As we commence this session, I am inspired by the boundless possibilities that lie ahead and the unwavering commitment that characterizes our shared vision for our dear University.
No doubt, the last academic session was not without its challenges. But our collective resolve and tireless efforts were all we needed to surmount them all.
In our pursuit of academic excellence, we have prioritized the welfare of both our dedicated staff and vibrant students. We have equally ensured prompt payment of salaries, honoraria, and allowances. As part of our effort to mitigate against the harsh realities of PMS subsidy removal, we increased the payment of hazard allowance to 75%, and we resolve to begin payment of 100% by November 2023. We also made available a subsidized bus transportation scheme for our staff. The trip to and fro the University that would have cost N1,800 is presently subsidized by over 70% to N500 by the University. Our students are not left out. The University made buses available at subsidized rates to convey students from the tarmac to the campus during peak periods. Importantly, we are maintaining the same rate for school fees payable by all categories of students.
Despite our lean resources, we continue to prioritize the capacity building of our staff. Conferences, trainings, and workshop attendance have been funded by the University. Plans have been concluded for a tuition waiver for biological children of staff admitted to any academic programme in the University. We have continued to ensure the promotion of staff as and when due. By the grace of God, I can assure you that the ongoing promotion process will be concluded in due course.
Our academic activities have continued to thrive, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and fostering intellectual growth. We have maintained high academic standards, attracting top-tier students who exemplify our commitment to excellence. We have expanded our academic offerings by introducing new programmes that reflect emerging fields and societal needs. We have achieved 100% accreditation for all the programmes presented to the NUC during the period under review. Through the support of the University, our faculty members have been gaining recognition globally for their groundbreaking research and grants winning, both locally and internationally.
In the admission process for the new session, our commitment to fairness, transparency, and inclusivity has been unwavering. We streamlined our admission process, ensuring that human intervention in the admission process was at a minimal. This ensured that deserving applicants from diverse backgrounds have equitable access to quality education.
Our campus has seen remarkable transformations, enhancing the learning and working environment. We completed several physical projects, including student sit-outs, a state-of-the-art senate building, lecture halls, faculty buildings, laboratories, and modernized facilities that conform to international standards. We have provided more furniture, electrical fittings, solar lights, and public address systems in all large lecture halls. We also put in place facility managers for the proper maintenance of university assets. We have also been able to attract corporate institutions who share in our vision to join us in our infrastructure development. The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria is donating a lecture hall to the University. Similarly, work on the Performing Arts Theatre Complex will commence in earnest as the University has secured funding from Tetfund.
Our commitment to sustainability has been evident in eco-friendly infrastructure projects and green initiatives across campus. I am proud to inform you that KWASU has taken the lead in its campaign on green agenda. The Centre for Sustainable Energy converted a fossil fuel vehicle to an electric vehicle. This remarkable achievement has attracted partnerships with the government and private institutions. In like manner, we commissioned the plastic recycling plant of the Centre for Entrepreneurship a few weeks ago. Tons of plastic waste that would have polluted our environment are currently being converted to paving stones.
In all these, our efforts have not gone unnoticed. Our dear University has been receiving accolades with our landmark achievements serving as a testament to our dedication. Our alumni continue to excel in their respective fields, bringing honour and distinction to our institution. We sustain regular interactions with the Malete community and our students. This has gone a long way to ensure the sustenance of peace on our campus.
As we reflect on these accomplishments, let us look forward to the opportunities and challenges that the new academic year will bring. I would, therefore, like to share with us our action plan that is not merely a collection of goals and strategies but a roadmap to excellence, innovation, and societal impact. Each item within this plan is a reflection of our collective dedication to creating an educational institution that is not bound by tradition but rather defined by its ability to evolve, adapt, and lead.
We envision an educational landscape where access to quality education knows no boundaries. To this end, we shall be unveiling our ODL facility which will be a beacon of hope, offering innovative opportunities for lifelong learning, improved service delivery, and an increased student intake that knows no geographical limitations. Also, our LMS portal is undergoing a remarkable transformation that will offer learners an amazing learning experience. Boosting of Wi-Fi reception within the campus is ongoing. When completed, you shall be able to enjoy strong and fast internet connections everywhere on our campus. We are also working to enhance our visibility and internationalization. The world will know us as a global institution, and we will work tirelessly to amplify our voice on the international stage.
We are dedicated to a future where our academic and research distinctiveness is not just a phrase but a lived reality. Our quality control measures will be strengthened to ensure that our classrooms are hubs of knowledge, curiosity, and inspiration. Our research will be the catalyst for societal change. To foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange among the thought leaders, innovators, and stakeholders from academia, government, industry, and civil society, we have instituted a quadruple helix series to address complex challenges and drive sustainable economic and societal development. A policy on commercializing research to propel us toward a future where our academic endeavours have a real-world impact is in the offing. We will be instituting a Commercialization of Research Output (CROP) competition to celebrate our researchers and innovators. There will be cash awards for winners. We also aspire to induct individuals into the KWASU Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame, who exemplify the spirit of discovery and impact.
We will be building an organizational culture that aligns with our vision, mission, and core values. Billboards, plates, and banners that display our Vision, Mission, and Core Values will adorn our facilities. This is to remind us of the need for them to resonate in every action, decision, and aspiration of our university community.
Our commitment to sustainability shall continue to manifest through tangible actions, such as tree planting, recycling, and public education, as we strive to win carbon credits and become stewards of the environment. We shall be fostering entrepreneurship through the creation of a Business Incubation hub. The Business Incubation hub will be a nurturing ground for dreams and a bridge to practical entrepreneurship. We envision partnerships that create opportunities, and we aspire to instill the spirit of innovation in all our staff and students.
Our commitment to peace, cleanliness, and the protection of our land will extend to our host communities through meaningful engagement and shared responsibility. We shall be leveraging our alumni for linkage and career enhancement. Our alumni will not merely be graduates, but we will engage them as partners in progress, offering opportunities for career enhancement and fostering connections that empower our graduates. Our successes and plans will be communicated with transparency and clarity, ensuring that each member of our university community is informed, engaged, and motivated.
Within this new session, the 10th and 11th combined convocation ceremonies will hold, precisely from the 4th to the 9th of December 2023. This is a major University event that allows us to celebrate our students who have put in years to attain their various degrees. During this convocation, we will be giving the Best Administrative Staff and Best Researcher awards to our non-teaching and academic staff. This is the first of the kind in our great University and it is our way of celebrating excellence and motivating others to put in their very best.
As we embark on this academic session, I invite you to embrace our shared vision and be active participants in the journey ahead. Together, we will transcend challenges, shatter barriers, and reach new horizons of knowledge and excellence. Let us remember that our University is not just a collection of buildings and programmes; it is a vibrant community of thinkers, dreamers, and doers. The impact we make within and beyond our walls has the potential to shape our society and inspire generations.
I thank each and every one of you for your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to the values that define our University. May this new academic session be filled with discovery, growth, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Welcome to the Academic Year 2023/2024 at Kwara State University. Let us all embark on this exciting journey together.
Sincerely,
Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh
Ag. Vice Chancellor
Kwara State University, Malete
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