There was excitement at the First Technical University, Ibadan, on Thursday February 8, 2024 when it held its seventh matriculation. The event that took place at the main campus of the institution on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, in the Oyo State capital, saw Tech-U officially usher in 189 new students.
The matriculation further established Tech-U as a university with a smooth calendar as it has held seven matriculations in its seven years of operation. The institution, which started admitting students in 2018, has also held two convocations while the third is around the corner. It has not lost a single day in its calendar.
In his address at the event, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Adesola Ajayi, assured the matriculants and their parents of Tech-U’s preparedness to offer the learners the best.
“We are committed to ensuring that these young minds receive the best education possible. This university will not only teach and inculcate knowledge, but it will also train you to be able to adapt to situations and circumstances and be the best,” the VC said.
He, however, enjoined them to uphold the values of the institution and imbibe discipline to be able to reap the golden promise. He reminded them that admission to the university has granted them freedom but which they should not abuse, warning that the school would not condone the violation of its code of conduct.
Ajayi then identified some matriculation and graduation rites. Among such, according to him, matriculants are expected to wear their tassels to the right as only graduates wear such to the right.
“You will have to uphold the rules and regulations of the university. Let honesty guide your action. You must contribute to the creation of the conducive learning environment. I urge you to stay true to your matriculation oath as we will not hesitate to sanction any errant students,” the VC stated.
He added that as much as Tech-U had provision for recognising excellence, it also had provision for disciplining. According to him, it is not by wishful thinking that anyone graduates from a university.
The VC stressed, “What you put in is what you get from this university. Concerning discipline, we all have copies of the University Code of Conduct. As the Vice Chancellor, principal officers, members of staff and as students – all of us – we have the code of conduct we all uphold. The university is not a place where you do anything you like anyhow. There are procedures. There are ways you speak and respond. You must be committed to the ideals of this university.”
Professor Ajayi acknowledged the positive role being played by the Visitor to the University and Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, as he thanked him for his support for the growth and development of Tech-U. He also recognised the support of the local governments in the state, as well as the Josephus Foundation, which enables many of the students to get scholarships to study.
He said, “The support strengthens our resolve to provide quality education and make positive impacts on society.”
He congratulated the parents and saluted them for the confidence they invested in Management, entrusting their students in its care.
Professor Ajayi hinted at how many of Tech-U graduates have been shining within and outside the country. Among such is an alumnus who secured two PhD scholarships at institutions in the United States of America. While another now works at AMNI Petroleum International, Lagos (the company that sponsors the Josephus Scholarships), one of the students, who will be graduating in about a month’s time, went to Ghana for Industrial Training (IT). He emerged the best among those on the programme and he has already been offered a job he will later take up.
