“We Are Now in The Era of “Innovate or Stagnate,” UI VC tells newly appointed Teaching Staff

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, has told newly appointed teaching staff of the university that the era of “publish or perish” is evolving, to an era of “innovate or stagnate.”

He made this statement at the opening ceremony of a two-day capacity building workshop organized by the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic through the university’s Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) for the over 500 newly appointed teaching staff of the university. 

Professor Adebowale reiterated that the workshop is a call to the participants to turn their gaze inward to examine the very core of the teaching profession, which according to him, is the transmission and creation of knowledge.

He stated that academics and researchers are entrepreneurs of ideas, therefore, the newly appointed teaching staff must learn to see their research, not as an endpoint, but as the beginning of a journey that could lead to patents, start-ups, and solutions to national challenges.

The VC warned that present-day students are digital natives who learn and engage differently and counselled the participants to adapt and move from being the “sage on the stage” to the “guide on the side.” 

He said that the currency of a university is its reputation and that reputation is built on quality of teaching, research, and service and urged them to pay attention to the mechanisms of quality assurance that govern the university’s academic programmes, from course evaluation to accreditation.

The Vice-Chancellor also restated the importance of technology and advised them to leverage technology to enhance learning, expand the university’s reach, and ensure that its students receive a world-class education regardless of disruptions. 

He emphasized the university’s belief in mentorship and encouraged them to embrace relationship with their senior colleagues who will guide, support, and help them to navigate the path to tenure, promotion, and distinction. 

Given UI’s status as a critical part of Africa’s intellectual infrastructure, Professor Adebowale restated that the university has a responsibility that extends beyond its campus gates, advising them to conduct researches that ask questions that are relevant to Africa’s development. 

He also encouraged them to teach to inspire the next generation of African leaders, asserting that they are not just Nigerian academics but African scholars with a global reach.

The Vice-Chancellor charged the newly appointed teaching staff to make themselves visible by attending seminars, be resilient, be student-centred, be scholars, not just lecturers and conduct themselves as proud members of the University of Ibadan academic community.

The Director of CETL, Professor Adedoyin Aguoru disclosed that the workshop will expose the participants to different teaching methodologies, innovative approaches, and best practices, adding that the programme was packed with knowledge, skills, and networking opportunities.

Keynote addresses were delivered by Dr Godwin R. Murunga, Executive Secretary of the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA); Pastor Godman Akinlabi, Lead Pastor, The Elevation Church and Faculty Member, Daystar Leadership Academy; and Professor Jide Owoeye, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Lead City University, Ibadan.