FUNAAB VC Urges Academic Renewal at Maiden COLVET Retreat

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Babatunde Kehinde, has called on academic staff of the College of Veterinary Medicine (COLVET) to engage in strategic reflection, strengthen institutional commitment, and renew dedication to excellence in teaching, research, and community service.

The Vice-Chancellor made the call during the College’s maiden academic retreat themed “Reconnect, Reflect and Refresh,” where he was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Olusegun Idowu. He described the retreat as a timely initiative aimed at reinforcing academic delivery and aligning the College’s activities with the broader mandate of the University.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, academic staff often become deeply engaged in lectures, clinical responsibilities, research activities, grant pursuits, publications, and administrative duties, sometimes losing sight of the institution’s collective mission. He urged participants to use the retreat as an opportunity to reconnect with the core values and responsibilities that define veterinary education and practice.

Professor Kehinde emphasised the strategic importance of Veterinary Medicine in addressing contemporary global challenges, particularly in the areas of animal health, public health protection, food security, and environmental sustainability. He noted that the discipline plays a critical role within the global One Health framework, which promotes integrated approaches to human, animal, and environmental health.

He further encouraged academic staff to maintain intellectual cohesion and strategic alignment in responding to emerging challenges, stressing that collaboration and shared vision remain essential to sustaining academic excellence and institutional growth.

In his opening remarks, the Dean of COLVET, Olusola Ajayi, appreciated the Vice-Chancellor and University Management for their continued support, noting that such backing had contributed to the College’s growing academic profile. He explained that the retreat was organised to promote unity among staff, enhance teamwork, and provide a platform for reviewing academic responsibilities and strengthening collaboration.

The retreat featured paper presentations by the Registrar, Titus Adeniyi; former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Morenike Dipeolu; former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Kola Adebayo; and the Director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Olugbenga Kehinde.

Other presenters included the Acting Director, Directorate of Research, Innovations and Partnerships (DRIP), Oluwagbemiga Adeleye, and the Acting Director, Directorate of Internal Audit, Kehinde Ajayi. Awards of honour were presented to the speakers in recognition of their contributions to the success of the retreat.