TASFUED Congregation Elects Representatives to Governing Council, Senate, Statutory Committees

The Congregation of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED), Ijagun, has elected representatives to the University Governing Council, Senate and various statutory committees, as the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Samuel Oladipo, MNPA, CMCPN, MCAN, FIELPN, charged members of staff to work collectively towards the continued growth and development of the institution.

The election was conducted during the University’s Congregation meeting, which also addressed issues relating to institutional development, staff-student relations, service delivery, discipline, road safety and the need to strengthen professionalism across the University.

Addressing members of the Congregation, Professor Oladipo appreciated the University community for its support before, during and after his emergence as Vice-Chancellor, stressing that the responsibility for advancing the institution could not be left to one person.

He said the development of TASFUED was a collective responsibility requiring the commitment of both teaching and non-teaching staff, adding that members of the University community must work towards a shared vision and common institutional objectives.

According to him, the administration’s vision is encapsulated in the STAR-WIN Agenda, which provides a strategic direction for the University’s development, with emphasis on sustainable funding, smart governance and other priorities designed to enhance the institution’s visibility, relevance and impact.

The Vice-Chancellor described TASFUED as an institution with several initiatives and programmes that had positioned it to respond to emerging developments in the Nigerian university system, particularly in areas such as technical and vocational education, entrepreneurship and institutional advancement.

He, however, noted that the University had not adequately projected its achievements to the wider public, stressing the need for deliberate efforts to improve institutional visibility and position TASFUED for greater national and international recognition.

Earlier, the Director, Advancement, Professor Oluwakemi Oriola, highlighted the strategic role of the Directorate of Advancement in developing alternative sources of funding and strengthening the University’s long-term financial sustainability.

Professor Oriola explained that the Directorate comprised the Foundation, Endowment and Alumni Units, which, he said, were central to building sustainable relationships and mobilising resources for institutional development.

He identified five pillars of the Directorate’s approach as SADCOM-D:

• Stewardship in Student Engagement

• Alumni Capital Relations

• Development through Fundraising

• Corporate Communication

• Data Governance Services

The Director stressed the importance of regarding students as valuable institutional assets whose experiences and relationships with the University could significantly influence future alumni engagement and institutional support.

He therefore charged members of staff to cultivate professional, humane and constructive relationships with students, noting that today’s students would become the University’s alumni, partners, benefactors and ambassadors in the future.

Professor Oriola called for a deliberate student-relations framework, including the development of a Student Relationship Charter and a comprehensive student handbook outlining institutional expectations, disciplinary procedures and the rights and responsibilities of students.

He also urged staff to strengthen relationships with alumni, corporate organisations and other stakeholders, stressing the need for the University to move beyond seeking assistance primarily during periods of financial difficulty to building sustained relationships and strategic partnerships.

On corporate communication, the Director urged members of staff to project the University positively in their interactions with students, colleagues, alumni and members of the public, noting that every member of staff had a role to play in shaping the University’s image and reputation.

Speaking on service delivery, the Chairman of the University’s SERVICOM Committee, Professor Bayo Akinsanya, cautioned staff against absenteeism, poor service delivery and inappropriate treatment of students and colleagues.

He reminded members of staff that, as a Federal Government institution, TASFUED was required to operate within established rules and procedures governing public institutions.

He urged staff to report to work regularly, discharge their responsibilities promptly and avoid conduct capable of embarrassing students, colleagues or the University.

The Chairman also advised staff to resolve complaints through established procedures and cautioned against unnecessary delays in the processing of official matters, stressing that documents and administrative responsibilities should not remain unattended for several days without justification.

Concerns were also raised during the meeting over the use of the University’s access gates and the safety of vehicles and other road users on campus.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor explained that the adjustment to vehicular movement within the University was largely connected to the poor condition of adjoining roads. He disclosed that the University was engaging relevant government authorities, including the local government and other stakeholders, towards addressing the challenges.

Professor Oladipo recalled previous efforts to secure government intervention on the affected roads and assured members of the Congregation that the University would continue to pursue the matter until a lasting solution was achieved.

The Congregation also witnessed the declaration of results of elections conducted earlier in the day for representatives to various University organs.

For the University Governing Council, Mr Olumise Olusanya emerged as the elected academic representative, while Barrister Olugbenga Adekunle Omilola was elected to represent the non-teaching staff.

Dr Oyekolade Sodiq Oyesanya was elected as the academic representative of the University community on the TASUES Board, while Olalekan Adebola Fetuga emerged as the non-teaching representative.

The elected Congregation representatives on the Senate are Abdullahi Abiodun Oyekanmi, Damilola Abosede Olu-Dukiya, Opeifa Daniel and Ibrahim Wahab Adegbayi.

For the University Research and Learned Conference, Dr Yinka Oluranti Adediran and Dr Gabriel Olusegun Oduyemi emerged as representatives.

Professor Bamidele Oladapo Olanisinmi was elected as the academic representative on the University Consultancy Services Committee, while Mr Stephen Dele Gbogiaran emerged as the non-teaching representative.

Similarly, Professor Mufutau Oluwakemi Oriola was elected to represent the academic staff on the University Academic Ceremonies Committee, while Bridget Ada Ejeh emerged as the non-teaching representative.

On the University Staff Professional and Ethics Committee, Professor Olukunle Olagunju Balogun and Mrs Mariam Oladayo Precious Rufai emerged as the academic and non-teaching representatives respectively.

For the University Committee on Awards for Outstanding Staff, the academic representative was elected alongside Mrs Funmilola Bola Lawal-Adenuga as the non-teaching representative.

On the University Sports Committee, Oyebanjo Olusegun O. was elected as the academic representative, while Samson Folaranmi Ajayi was listed among the non-teaching representatives.

For the TASFUED Trust Foundation, Mrs Deborah Adeola Anthonio emerged as a representative, while Dr Edward Osagie Onaifo was elected to the University Health Services Management Committee.

Mr Amusa Abayomi Abraham was elected to the Board of Survey, while Mrs Olajumoke Racheal Adetokunboh-Adetola emerged as the representative on the Budget Monitoring Committee.

Congratulating the successful candidates, the Vice-Chancellor reminded them that their election was not merely an opportunity to occupy positions but a call to service and responsibility.

He urged the elected representatives, including those who emerged unopposed, to discharge their responsibilities in the best interest of the University and contribute meaningfully to its continued development.

Professor Oladipo also stressed the importance of institutional continuity, acknowledging the contributions of previous administrations and urging members of staff to build on the foundations laid by their predecessors.

He said the University’s progress should be regarded as a collective and continuous process in which every administration and member of staff had a role to play.

The Vice-Chancellor therefore called on members of the Congregation to work together as one University community, cooperate across professional and administrative boundaries and remain committed to the shared objective of taking TASFUED to greater heights.