By Abdulhafeez Oyewole
Members of the KU 8+ Consortium have been urged to maximize the potential of their alliance by fostering stronger collaboration in academic and research activities.
This charge was delivered by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, who was represented by Professor Ebunola at the 3rd KU 8+ Consortium International Conference held today at the Mini Convocation Arena of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete.
Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Innovation and Sustainability of Higher Education in a Changing World,” Professor Ribadu described it as both timely and relevant. He emphasized the need for Nigerian universities to focus on producing graduates who are not just employable but capable of thinking critically and driving innovation to move the country forward.
Also speaking at the event, the Kwara State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, commended the KU 8+ Consortium for its sustained commitment to strategic academic collaboration. She noted that the state government is proud of KWASU for hosting the international conference and expressed optimism that its outcomes would set a stronger path for higher education in the state.
In his goodwill message, Emeritus Professor Musbau Akanji- former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, and Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin- described the regional consortium initiative as the right step forward. He encouraged KU 8+ to include newly established universities in their fold and promote resource-sharing among member institutions.
Delivering the lead paper, Professor Olutayo Charles Adesina challenged students to discard the notion that education is a scam. He urged them to prepare themselves locally in order to compete globally, and called on the academic community to deploy their collective knowledge in finding lasting solutions to national challenges while upholding the dignity of labour.
