Ondo Varsity V.C, Prof Ige Lauds FG’s Funding of Tertiary Institutions

The Vice Chancellor of Ondo State-owned Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, AAUA, Prof Olugbenga Ige, has commended the Federal Government for ensuring proper funding of interventionist agency, TETfund, to have largest impacts on infrastructural development at various public tertiary institutions in the country.

Prof Ige told newsmen at the school that arguably, TETFund had improved facilities greatly at the institutions including AAUA

The VC said, “I can only think how squalid our infrastructure development would have been if it hadn’t been for TETFund’s massive involvement. Just in the last four months, we took delivery of no fewer than five projects sponsored by TETFund.

“On Staff Training and Development, between 2019 till date, 20 of our academics have benefitted from TETFund postgraduate sponsorships in various universities across the world and over 33 from Research Grants and Conference Attendance.

On the recent students’ unrest that led to the closure of the school, Prof Ige explained that university had one of the cheapest and flexible mode of tuitions in Nigeria, noting that highest school fee for students remains N150,000 and minimum of N80,000 per session.

He added that, “the University has not abandoned its promises to support students through the Students’ Support Centre, which administers and oversees scholarships and financial aid to a variety of students, including gifted, indigent, and physically challenged students.

“Under the terms of the agreement, the University will cover half of the school expenses for all physically challenged students, while the best students in each Department with a CGPA in the first-class range will get a scholarship at the end of the academic year. Indigent students who are unable to pay their school fees can get a loan for around a third of their expenses.

“The institutions Governing Council members made a donation of about five million naira to cater for the students in this category.  We have also recently reintroduced and engaged students for our Student Work-Study Scheme.

“The programme permits willing students to work for two hours each day on campus while studying and be paid at the conclusion of each semester. Yet, we have encouraged our students to hone their skills in all ramifications, especially in the areas of innovation, sports, entertainment and artistic performances,” the AAUA VC said.

He said out of 5,145 graduands, 53 made First Class; 1,511 earned Second Class (Upper Division), 2861 bagged Second Class (Lower Division), 667 had Third Class, while 40, are in the Pass category, as the institution holds its 10th and 11th Convocation Ceremony for combined two graduating sets of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 academic sessions, this week.