The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, has urged university alumni bodies to support their institutions, saying no ivory tower could survive alone.
Ige made the call while addressing the re-elected executives of the AAUA Alumni during the 2024 national convention of the association held recently.
Addressing the executives, Ige, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Adebisi Daramola, said there was a need for alumni associations to constantly give unwavering support for the advancement of their alma mater.
“No university is fully developed without the support of alumni and our university is ready to collaborate with this association. There are three state universities in Ondo State competing for funding and aside from that, AAUA now has an additional 11 programmes requiring funding. You cannot talk about standard education without instituting appropriate programmes,” the VC said.
He urged the alumni to keep representing the good image of the university and never be complacent.
In his speech, the President of the Association, Dr. Olumide Olugbemi-Gabriel, expressed gratitude to the alumni for their sacrifices and contributions.
He stressed that an alumni association should be a platform that gives back to the university, rather than seeking personal gains.
The guest speaker, Prof. Benson Igboin, emphasised that university sustainability relied on developing the minds of students and alumni for advanced learning.
“Education institutions should cultivate minds through advanced learning. If you train the mind, it can reproduce technical knowledge and skills. Developing the mind is more important than acquiring skills,” he said.
Source: THE PUNCH
