UI Charges New Academic Staff to Uphold Institutional Excellence at Onboarding Training

University of Ibadan has urged its newly appointed academic staff to sustain and strengthen the institution’s long-standing tradition of excellence, professionalism, and intellectual rigor.

The charge was delivered by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Peter O. Olapegba, FNPA, fspsp, C.Psych, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, during the opening ceremony of a two-day onboarding training programme organised for 300 newly recruited academic staff under the Research Management Office (RMO).

Professor Olapegba stated that the onboarding exercise represents a formal induction into a scholarly community defined by high academic standards, ethical conduct, and a strong commitment to national and global development. He noted that the new appointments reflect the university’s confidence in the intellectual capacity and potential of the selected staff, who emerged from a highly competitive recruitment process.

He emphasized that performance at the university is assessed through teaching, research, and community service, stressing that sustained excellence in these areas is essential for career progression and institutional advancement. He further described excellence at UI not as an aspiration, but as a tradition that must be consistently upheld.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships), Professor Simisola O. Akintola, also addressed participants, challenging them to ensure that their research outputs go beyond academic recognition to deliver measurable societal impact. She highlighted the importance of effective communication of research value, ethical compliance, and active engagement in interdisciplinary collaboration.

She added that the onboarding programme was designed to familiarise staff with the university’s research ecosystem, including funding structures, ethical frameworks, global partnerships, and innovation pathways, while reinforcing standards for research integrity, data management, and authorship practices.

The Director of the Research Management Office, Professor Ayodele Jegede, explained that the programme was structured to equip new academics with the foundational knowledge required to navigate institutional expectations and develop successful academic careers. He emphasized that research quality, mentorship, and grant acquisition remain central to academic success within the institution.

The training featured sessions led by senior scholars and administrators covering academic success requirements, staff regulations, promotion guidelines, research funding strategies, work-life balance, publication visibility, mentorship, and collaboration practices. Key facilitators included Professor Abel I. Olayinka, FAS; Professor Ademola Ajuwon; Dr Adefemi Afolabi; Dr Folake Folasire; and senior administrative officers of the university.

The onboarding programme reinforced the University of Ibadan’s expectation that new academic staff will contribute meaningfully to its global reputation through disciplined scholarship, impactful research, and sustained academic excellence.