23rd July, 2010
Babcock University made a strong presence at the recently concluded education summit in New Jersey, USA, canvassing for a revolution in Information Communication Technology as a means of taking Nigerian university education to the next level.
The summit, which held between July 11-18, 2010, was jointly organised by the Committee of Deans of Postgraduate Schools in Nigeria (CDPGS) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation America, New Jersey Chapter (NIDOA-NJ).
The CDPGS/NIDOA-NJ education summit, the first in the series, was coordinated by Rutgers University Agronomy and Weed Control Specialist, Professor Albert Ayeni. It was organised to explore the 21st Century agenda and building blocks for transforming research and education in Nigerian Universities.
In a keynote address, the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Professor Ade Adefuye, challenged deans of postgraduate schools in Nigeria to collaborate with NIDOA and other bodies like the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and the government to bring the much desired change to Nigeria.
Re-emphasising the readiness of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to leave a legacy of performance and a nation on sound economic and stable political footing, he stated that the Nigerian academic has a significant role to play
The summit broke into sessions with the President/Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, Professor JA Kayode Makinde, chairing two important sessions. The first session reflected on what Nigeria expects from her citizens in the Diaspora. Scholars including Professors Sola Olopade from University of Illinois, Chicago; Wole Soboyejo, a Material Engineer from Princeton University; Akinbiyi Akinlabi; Mercy Azeke; Stella Okereke and Abiodun Akinkunmi explored what are expected from the Nigerians in diaspora
The second technical session featured the Dean, Babcock University School of Postgraduate Studies, Professors Ayandiji Aina, Chemical Engineering expert from Howard University, Professor Mobolaji Aluko and Dean of Postgraduate school, University of Benin, Professor Raymond Elaho. Professor Aina discussed The Issue of Social Science and the Development of Human Capital: The Way Forward for Nigeria.
Other scholars who participated in the one-week summit include the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Olufemi Bamiro and his Federal University, Owerri counterpart.
Clinical Professor of Surgery at Colombia University, Professor Ferdinand Ofodile, Chairman of the CDPGS and Dean University of Ibadan Postgraduate School, Professor Labode Popoola and CDPGS Honourable Secretary and Dean, Unilag PG School, Professor Toyin Ogundipe, were also in attendance.