The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, said on Monday that 7,986 of its students will be graduating at this 47th convocation, out of which 158 finished with a first class.
Prof. Bamire stated that the university will be giving honorary awards to Dr. Anastasios Paul Leventis, who will be given the Doctor of Science (DSC, Honoris Causa), and Professor Toyin Omoyemi FALOLA who is to receive the Doctor of Letters (D. Litt, Honoris Causa).
Bamire said the university would have loved to retain the first-class graduates, but for the process involved in employment procedures in Nigerian universities.
Despite the outstanding performance of the first-class graduates, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, acknowledged the challenges faced in retaining these talents within the university. He cited the intricate employment procedures prevalent in Nigerian universities as a hindrance. This sheds light on broader issues within the academic system and prompts discussions on how to streamline processes to encourage the retention of top-tier talents.
The convocation ceremony is scheduled to commence on Thursday and climax on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the Amphitheatre of Oduduwa Hall of the university.
The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, who made this known at a press conference heralding the convocation ceremony, said the graduating students are from undergraduate and postgraduate studies of the university.
It is my prayer that the Lord will see them through as they go out into the world in pursuit of their goals, desires, and objectives.”
According to him,On Thursday, by 10:00 in the morning, we shall be awarding bachelor’s degrees to our students, who have been adjudged worthy in learning and character, in five (5) faculties, namely: administration (806). Arts (1103), Education (687). Law (379) and Social Sciences (709). “
“In the aforementioned Faculties, the University will be graduating a total number of Three Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty-Fourty (3684)”
“On the second day, which is Friday, 8th December 2023, we shall be awarding Bachelor’s Degrees to our students who have been adjudged sound both in learning and character, in eight (8) Faculties namely: Agriculture(383), Basic Medical Sciences (392), Clinical Sciences (142), Dentistry, Environmental Design and Management(434), Pharmacy(115), Science (908) and Technology(652). Across these Faculties, we shall be graduating a total number of Three Thousand, and Twenty-Six (3026) students.”
The grand finale of this Convocation comes up on Saturday, the 9th day of December, 2023 when One Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy-six (1276) postgraduate students will be awarded diplomas and degrees in their various fields across different Faculties in our University.
He however gave the awarding degrees as: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), 247, Master of Philosophy (MPhil), 22,Master of Science (MSc), 415,Master Degrees, 92, Professional Master, 444, Postgraduate Diploma, 56,
_Ladies and gentlemen, let me also inform you that we are giving the Honourary Awards of our University to two distinguished personalities whose contributions to society and humanity have been extremely exceptional.”
” The first person is Chief (Dr.) Anastasios Paul LEVENTIS who will be given the Doctor of Science (DSC, Honoris Causa) and Professor Toyin Omoyemi FALOLA who is to receive the Doctor of Letters (D. Litt, Honoris Causa)”,he concluded.
