First Class Diary: Commonwealth Scholar Tells Schools To Engage More in Industrial Activities

This first class diary series features one of Nigeria’s finest scholar, Olajide Ilesanmi Fatukasi. Olajide is a Commonwealth scholarship recipient. He has just finished his master’s degree program from Harper Adams University, United Kingdom. I had an amazing moment with him and I don’t want to keep that to myself.

In his words,

success is driven by the set of people you move or have a close relationship with, because motivation mostly comes from people you surround yourself with

Please enjoy the interview excerpt below.

Abigail Ibikunle of Edugist: Could you please give a brief description about yourself?

Olajide Fatukasi: My name is Olajide Ilesanmi Fatukasi. I graduated from Federal University of Technology Akure, with a first class degree honours in Biology (B. Tech) in August, 2016. Recently, I concluded a masters degree programme in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) at Harper Adams University, United Kingdom in August 2019. Digressing from my academic background, I am also a talented professional fine Artist that duplicates pictures with pencils.

AI: Was there any factor(s) that motivated your choice of discipline and institution?

OF: Nothing really motivated me for choosing my discipline and the University I chose. However, I had zeal for natural sciences right from childhood and I am so excited to be an astute scientist today.

AI: There are two major skills that every student must possess: COMPETENCE and PERFORMANCE. While competence revolves around skill acquisition, performance is much more concerned about skills application. It is believed that most graduates are competent because their academic performance testifies to this, but they are performance-challenged. This poor performance ipso facto hinders them from getting lucrative jobs in the labour market. What can you say about this assertion?

OF: For students’ performances to increase, more practical aspect of their taught modules should be focused on, with exceptional state of the art facilities which will foster the performance of students. This will help them when they apply for a lucrative job in any organisation that is outside academics.

AI: What do you think is responsible for competence without performance? Please suggest ways of improving the performance level of university students and graduates.

OF: Competence without performance is probably due to the fact that students are more seasoned with the theory aspect of their studies. Students might have been used to these theories before graduating and looking for a lucrative job. Nevertheless, some outstanding students usually develop themselves personally by reading wild and surfing the internet for new innovations.

This issue could be mitigated by involving students in industrial activities regularly. By organising industrial visitation often so that they can have the knowledge of the industry before graduating. This is not equivalent to Industrial Training, but physical manufacturing activities in the industries should be revealed once each module has been taught.

AI: Achievement in life transcends one’s personal efforts. There were people who, during your programme, rendered some assistance that made your dreams a reality. Who are specific persons whose contribution you can’t forget in your first-class feat?

OF: My colleagues were always there for me when I was in school because we are always seeking for the success of each other. At the end, we had 6 first class graduates which all of us are friends right from start. Furthermore, our lecturers have been so supportive throughout my undergraduate studies. I just want you to know this, sometimes if not all times, “success is driven by the set of people you move or have a close relationship with, because motivation mostly comes from people you surround yourself with”.

AI: As a first-class graduate, are you currently gainfully employed?

OF: Not yet employed.

AI: Do you think your grades have or is giving you any major advantage over other graduates with lesser grades?

OF: Yes!!! My grade has given me an edge over others. Sincerely, it is a great advantage to be a first class graduate. With this grade, I was awarded a fully funded MSc scholarship by commonwealth scholarship commission to study in the UK at Harper Adams University in 2018, and I have just concluded the MSc programme now in August 2019.

AI: For students who aspire to graduate with outstanding grade like yours, what would you advise them?

OF: I will advise them to be consistent in their studies. They should persevere enough to achieve their aims, irrespective of the condition of their academic environment. This is because, everything is just a matter of time. They should concentrate, avoid distractions and persevere in any situation, because,
According to Olajide Fatukasi

Achieving success is not by magic, but actualising your dreams with optimism makes you a success

AI: What would you advise the government to do to improve the standard of our education system?

OF: More funding and teaching facilities should be provided for research. That is what will increase the standard of education system and also add to the development of the country as a whole. Lastly, the laws that governs the academic staff should be modified. Both the teaching and the non-teaching staff should be made to work vibrantly in their job. They should also adhere to the strict rules which will foster the progress of the academic system.