‘Take advantage of foreign exchange programme’

Adebiyi Daramola

Twelve students of Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), who have departed for the final lap of their undergraduate studies, and a masters’ programme, at the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), Florida, United States, have been charged not to lose sight of the essence of the initiative.

Vice chancellor of the institution, Professor Adebiyi Daramola, gave the charge while sending forth the beneficiaries of the foreign exchange programme.

He has also tasked them to make conscious efforts towards improving the already established positive image of the institution during their academic sojourn. The benefitting students will be in the U.S. for two sessions, under the existing academic exchange programme, and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both institutions.

Since the inception of the 4+1+1 programme, select FUTA students, after spending their first four years in the institution, proceed to FAMU for the fifth and final year of their undergraduate programmes. They, thereafter undergo a one-year postgraduate programme, leading to their being awarded with a masters’ degree.

At the event, Daramola told the students, “I am very happy to announce to you that your predecessors in the programme have made us proud. They keep our flag flying … Since the programme started, we have received positive reports about our students.  They have performed morally and academically well.  As I am talking to you, one of them who went in 2014 will be completing his doctorate in April 2017. This is a great feat…That is why I always say the sky is not just the limit, but the starting point for the serious type.  Therefore, I urge you to utilise this rare opportunity to your full advantage.”

He admonished the students to justify their parents’ investment in them, be good ambassadors of their parents, the university and the country.

He assured of his administration’s continuous efforts at increasing collaboration with world-class universities saying, “Our collaboration with world-class universities keep soaring. Next year, our students will be going to Germany. This is because we want them to have opportunities their peers in other universities in Nigeria don’t have.”

Director, International Office, FUTA, Professor Akintunde Akindahunsi, in his remarks admonished the students to face their studies squarely, and resist any attempt to misuse the opportunity.

Akindahunsi, who described America as a land of opportunities open to both success and failure, depending on one’s choice, implored the beneficiaries to tread the path to success and be good ambassadors of FUTA.
Oladosun Olayinka, of the Department of Metallurgical and Material Engineering (MME), who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, assured the school’s management and parents of their resolve to represent the nation well.

He thanked Daramola for the opportunity his tenure has offered students, through collaboration with world-class institutions, a development he said has made FUTA globally relevant.

On their parts, Akintola Taofeek Kayode, of the Department of Electrical Electronics Engineering, and Obinegbo Oluchukwu Chidinma, said they were excited about the opportunity the university has afforded them to be exposed to world-class training.