13th July, 2010
University of Ilorin is set to mark the 50th independence of Nigeria with the publication of a book on Fifty Years of University Education in Nigeria and the organisation of an international conference with the theme: Nigerian Universities and the Quest for World Class Status
According to a press statement made available to Campus Square, the book comprises five major sections that include Fundamental Issues, Major Epochs in the Development of University Education in Nigeria, Managing University Development: the UNILORIN Experience; Contributions of Nigerian Universities over the years to Major Academic Disciplines and the Future of Nigerian Universities.
Already prominent academics, including current and past executive secretaries of the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) as well as current and past vice-chancellors of Nigerian universities, have indicated their interest in the book project.
Analysts believe that the book will be a tour de force as it promises to be one of the most remarkable and enduring birthday gifts to Nigeria. It will be presented on the first day of the conference, 27 September, 2010.
The international conference will be addressed by leading experts from UNESCO, selected vice-chancellors and other crème de la crème of the Nigerian academic community.
According to the organisers, the conference is intended to be a frank situational analysis of the university sub-sector in Nigeria, an opportunity for dialogue with the “universe of universities†and a charting of a viable course for raising Nigerian universities to world standard status.
The organisers added that the conference, which will include round table discusions, group working sessions and exhibitions, will ultimately take stock of the factors militating against the attainment of world standard status by Nigerian universities and analyse experiences from across the globe in building world class universities.