“Alumni are Instruments of Progress in Universities Across the World,” asserts UI VC

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp has asserted that the alumni are instruments of progress in universities across the world. 

He made this assertion at the commissioning ceremony of various projects in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the university, which were facilitated by the alumni of the faculty. 

Professor Adebowale emphasized that the involvement of the alumni and benefactors is inevitable for the growth of any university, stating that harnessing the power of the alumni will enable the drive for resource mobilization. 

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the management teams of universities needed to strive to acquire and deploy resource mobilization skills to drive institutional growth because the input of alumni is the bedrock of financial autonomy, hence, establishing relationship with the alumni community is key to their involvement. 

He appreciated the alumni on behalf of the university for looking back to give to their alma mater and the dean of the faculty for being intentional in mobilizing resources for the projects. 

The benefactions/donations received by the faculty included:

• Ultra-modern Veterinary Digital X-Ray Machine

• Furnishing of Parasitology Laboratory

• Borehole for Veterinary Anatomy Laboratory

• Refurbishment and Upgrade of the Veterinary Pathology Building

The Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Professor Olufunke Ola-Davies had earlier stated that the projects were accomplished through the benevolence of a group of alumni who preferred to be anonymous, disclosing that the alumni have been the backbone of the faculty’s drive for advancement.

She stated that the Ultra-modern Veterinary Digital X-Ray Machine is the most current version to give the students quality training and clients to have a worthwhile service delivery. 

The Dean explained that funds generated from the use of the machine would be used to purchase consumables and maintain the machine, while a certain portion will be set aside to purchase another one. 

Professor Ola-Davies appreciated the university management for the completion of the Virology and Parasitology building which had been abandoned for over ten years, disclosing that a distinguished alumni had provided funds to furnish the Parasitology laboratory in honour of his late sister and parents.

She also explained that it was to ensure constant water supply in the veterinary anatomy laboratory that a borehole was sunk. 

The Dean also stated that the refurbishing and upgrading of the Veterinary Pathology Building was also a feat which has given the faculty a facelift, stressing that it was facilitated by the faculty’s benefactors who have continued to accord unbelievable support to the faculty.