UI Commissions New Mechanical and Civil Engineering Buildings, Commends Alumnus and TETFund

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, has commissioned new buildings for the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering in the Faculty of Technology.

At the commissioning ceremony, Professor Adebowale appreciated Dr S. O. Ibraheem, an alumnus of the university, for donating the Mechanical Engineering building in recognition of his alma mater. He also commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which funded the Civil Engineering building through its 2021–2022 Annual Intervention and 2024 Zonal Intervention.

He described the projects as significant contributions to the university's infrastructure and academic development.

The Vice-Chancellor emphasised the importance of collaboration between donors and beneficiary institutions, noting that such partnerships help ensure donated facilities meet the actual needs and long-term development plans of the university.

He also commended Engineer Olanrewaju Isiaq Ashamu for supporting the Mechanical Engineering project with a solar power system, providing a sustainable electricity solution for the building.

Professor Adebowale disclosed that the Civil Engineering building, which also houses the Faculty of Technology Design Studio, was completed within 24 months. He described the TETFund intervention as a major achievement for the university and the Faculty of Technology.

He noted that the facility, particularly its computer-aided design studio, would benefit not only Civil Engineering students but also students and staff from other departments and faculties requiring similar facilities for teaching, learning and research.

He further commended the Directorate of Works and the Directorate of Physical Planning and Project Management for their supervision and technical contributions to the successful completion of the projects.

According to him, the commissioning of the two buildings demonstrates the importance of partnerships between the university, its alumni, development agencies and other stakeholders in improving institutional infrastructure.

Earlier, the Dean of the Faculty of Technology, Professor A. I. Bamgboye, commended Professor Adebowale for his commitment to the faculty's development. He recalled that the initiative to provide a building for the Department of Civil Engineering was conceived while the Vice-Chancellor served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration).

He described the new Civil Engineering building as a significant milestone, noting that the four-storey structure would provide much-needed space for academic activities.

The Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Professor S. A. Fasogbon, described the Vice-Chancellor as a driving force behind the project. He also commended Dr Ibraheem for remembering his alma mater and continuing to support the department.

Similarly, the Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, Professor G. M. Ayininuola, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his commitment to providing a permanent facility for the department. He said the intervention demonstrated the importance of equipping academic departments with appropriate infrastructure to support teaching and research.

The Director of Physical Planning and Project Management, Professor B. I. O. Dahunsi, outlined the facilities provided in the two buildings.

He explained that the Mechanical Engineering building comprises offices, a lecture room, a library and reading room, a laboratory and a conference room.

The Civil Engineering building, on the other hand, contains four laboratories, a physical and electronic library facility, a design studio, an engineering drawing room for first- and second-year students, four standard classrooms, offices for academic and administrative staff, a conference room and a store.

According to Professor Dahunsi, the facilities are expected to strengthen teaching, practical training, research and professional development across the faculty.

Emeritus Professor Olufemi Bamiro, the university's 10th Vice-Chancellor and one of the founding fathers of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, commended Professor Adebowale for encouraging alumni to contribute to the development of their alma mater.

He urged staff members across the faculty to embrace multidisciplinary collaboration, noting that different engineering disciplines must work together to address emerging technological challenges.

Emeritus Professor Bamiro also pledged to donate his collection of books to the faculty and departmental libraries to support teaching, learning and research.

In his vote of thanks, the Registrar, Mr Ganiyu O. Saliu, appreciated the Vice-Chancellor, principal officers, donor, TETFund, contractor, project supervisors and other stakeholders whose contributions ensured the successful completion of the projects.