AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The Pan Africa University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (including Health and Agriculture), University of Ibadan, has matriculated a total of 110 students in nine Masters and five PhD degree programmes.
During its 10th matriculation ceremony held at the Ajibode Extension, UI Campus of PAULESI, the Deputy Director of the Institute, Prof. Michael Adeyinka Oladunjoye, said that “In the history of PAULESI, nine sets comprising 715 students have matriculated. I am glad to announce to you that this is the 10th cohort of students admitted into this Institute. Today, we are formally enrolling 110 students into nine Masters’ degree programmes and five PhD degree programmes. I welcome all the new students to this great citadel of learning – PAULESI.
“You have come from various parts of the African continent representing the five regions of the continent to pursue your Masters and PhD degrees at PAULESI. I seize this opportunity to congratulate you on the PAU scholarship award. PAULESI received a total of 3,318 captured applications in our pool of applicants from 47 countries of the African continent.
“However, a total of 110 candidates, which is only about 3.31per cent of the total applicants, were selected after a thorough and rigorous selection process comprising of representatives from all regions of the continent and you all are blessed to be among the selected few for the 2022/23 academic session.
“I would like to emphasize that PAULESI, as with other PAU institutes, was founded to support the revitalization of higher education in Nigeria and to contribute to the vision of the African Union. It is our dream and hopes that you all will exemplify excellence, contribute to the development of the African continent, make meaningful and relevant contributions across the globe and dominate in your various field of study. You all are postgraduate students, and even though postgraduate studies come with a higher degree of freedom, I would like to state that this freedom is not without some expected requirements and boundaries, and it is pertinent that you abide by these sets of rules and regulations as required of you.
“Benjamin Disraeli, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, said, ‘University should be a place of light, of liberty and of learning.’ PAULESI has provided a suitable academic ambience for our students to productively engage in learning and research with the guide of prominent academics who play several roles as teachers, instructors, supervisors, advisors, mentors and many more. We have our peculiar culture here in the southwestern part of the country which forms part of the cultural diversity of the African continent – we try our best to accord respect to one another.
“You are admonished to be in your best behaviour all through your stay on campus so that you can have the best of time at PAULESI and in Nigeria. Still, on diversity, we currently have students from 42 countries. Based on the dynamics of culture, I will like to encourage you to learn to live peaceably with one another, act responsibly, be a good ambassador of your home country, and practice Ubuntu – I am because you are – a quality that includes the essential human virtues; compassion and humanity.”
He added that the students would undergo extra trainings in entrepreneurship and innovation in line with the economic development agenda of the Assembly of the Heads of State in African.
He thanked the programme coordinators, professors, faculty
members, PAULESI staff, members of the organizing committee, returning and fresh students of the institution for being a part of the matriculation ceremony on behalf of His Excellency, Mr. Moussa Faki, Commissioner, and the management of PAULESI.
In his speech on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, expressed delight, saying, “Considering the importance of Pan African University in the fulfillment of the vision of the African Union Commission to consolidate plans of action for Science and Technology through education, it is necessary to foreground the significance of this event.
“The admission offered to new students to commence their academic journey this 2022/2023 Academic Session is a clear indices that the AUC vision is still alive.
“The PAU, being a continental initiative of AUC, is domiciled in the University of Ibadan and management of the University of Ibadan has been supporting PAULESI in its drive to be a major instrument for the second decade for Africa which is expected to give way to the African Continental Education Strategy; as well as the African Common Position on post Sustainable Development Goals SDGs.
“It is my pleasure to welcome the new students aboard this academic train. You are going to receive topnotch educational delivery. I believe, by God’s grace, you will end well.
“The University of Ibadan offers you a conducive atmosphere that would enable learning research. The university is also a reflection of the warmth and hospitality Nigerians are noted for.”
