By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The Osun State University (UNIOSUN) on Wednesday matriculated 4,000 students for the 2021/2022 academic session.
Addressing the newly admitted students in the College of Humanities and Culture in Ikire campus of the University, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Adebooye, urged the matriculants to imbibe the spirit of commitment and pursuance of excellence, which according to him, is the major ideal of an academic environment.
Speaking through the Provost of the college, Professor Temitope Balogun, the Vice Chancellor pledged the readiness of the institution to propel the students to greatness by ensuring that they have the most conducive environment to learn and excel.
The VC added that in the last 15 years, UNIOSUN has been dedicated to training the best for tomorrow with a seamless academic calendar, reputable standard and a niche for all round progress of all stakeholders especially, students.
He admonished them to shun all acts capable of jeopardising their studentship, and tasked them to project the University greatly by being good ambassadors of the institution both offline and on social media.
According to him, “We are proud to state that our academic calendar is as reliable as an old-wheel horse. We are a public institution and we respect our contract with you and that is why we don’t turn a 4-year course to 7-year course. We are widely renowned for the consistency in our academic calendar. Even when COVID-19 disrupted academic calendar of most universities in 2020, our University was on track and we were able to complete the academic session by employing the virtual approach to learning and assessment. Your own bargain is to read your books, do your assignments, pass your practical and exams and graduate on time.
“Through our entrepreneurship centre, we have mandated the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills for our students in an attempt to turn our graduates into employees of labour upon graduation rather than job seekers. At UNIOSUN, we give our students two certificates upon graduation, one being a certificate of completion of course of study, with the other being a certificate of competence in a chosen vocation.
“It is worthy of mention that the tree planting exercise for fresh students in still in practice. Fresh students are expected to plant tree seedings during matriculation and nurture them till convocation. It helps in greening the University environment and serves as a souvenir to the University after your graduation.
“I implore you all to obey all the rules and regulations of the University, and stay away from any act of drug abuse, cultism, examination malpractice, thuggery, nuancy among others. Students who are found guilty of any of these offences would attract sanctions which may include summary dismissal.”