Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has advocated for the introduction of relevant academic courses for students particularly those in higher and tertiary institutions in order to align with the trend of the 21st century.
The Governor who said that the global trend, immediate and remote futures are tending towards technology, Robotic, Artificial Intelligence among others noted that Universities and higher citadels of learning must turn out students for wealth and job creation.
The Governor made the call in his office in Ado Ekiti, while playing host to the management and members of the University Governing council of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology Ikere Ekiti (BOUESTI).
Governor Oyebanji who said Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology which is one of the state owned higher institutions had proven to be a focused citadel of learning in terms of academic programmes and performances, explained that the institution and its management under Prof Victor Olufemi Adeoluwa had done the state proud with the various achievements in the last three years of its establishment.
He noted that the various awards won by the school and the tanking among its peers were tantamount to the capability of management and staff of the school.
The Governor who observed that the world was fast growing with courses that make the future, posited that BOUESTI management needed to turn out students that will be solution providers and employers of labour rather than job seekers.
Mr Oyebanji while charging the university council to leverage on public private partnership mechanism to attend to some of its challenges promised to see to the rehabilitation of the school internal roads, liaise with TETFUND for more intervention funds with other supports for the university.
He expressed confidence in the capacity of the governing council as well as the management, charging them not to relent on their oars but maximize all within their capacity towards projecting and demonstrating leadership in the education sector of the nation
The Chairman of the Governor Council, Professor Patrick Aina had earlier thanked the visitor to the university for his support within reeling out other areas of assistance for the institution.
Professor Aina informed that about 78 accredited programmes are being run by the university with plans for diversification to attract more students to the institution.
He sought Government’s support in the areas of more funds, payment of arrears of Gratuity, provision of adequate transport system and rehabilitation of the internal roads.
The Vice Chancellor of BOUESTI, Professor Olufemi Adeoluwa who said there are courses in the University that makes the future of aspiring students, expressed his readiness to take necessary steps to improve the institution standards.
He assured the Government and the people of Ekiti State that the institution would continue to be at the Frontline of technological innovations and entrepreneurship for self reliance before and after students’ graduation.