By Esther Sangodele
The Vice-Chancellor of KolaDaisi University (KDU), Ibadan, Prof. Olajumoke Morenikeji, has said the institution will continue to produce graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence to compete effectively on national and global stages.
Morenikeji stated this in an interview, stressing that the university’s responsibility extends beyond preparing students for examinations to equipping them with practical competencies required to navigate the changing world of work.
She said KDU was placing emphasis on entrepreneurship, enterprise development, innovation and practical skills to ensure that its graduates were adequately prepared for employment and capable of creating opportunities.
“We want to produce graduates who are academically sound, entrepreneurial, innovative and globally relevant,” she said.
According to her, students should not spend their university years merely moving from one level to another and eventually graduate without knowing how to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.
“Our students should not spend four or five years simply moving from one level to another and then graduate without knowing what to do with their knowledge.
“We want them to develop practical, entrepreneurial and vocational skills, understand the world of work and become capable of either securing meaningful employment or creating opportunities for themselves and others,” she said.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university was also strengthening its relationship with industry to expose students to the expectations of employers and the realities of the labour market.
She cited the university’s recent career fair as part of the initiatives designed to bridge the gap between academic training and employment.
According to her, the event enabled students to interact directly with employers, submit their curriculum vitae, participate in CV clinics and receive guidance on personal branding, business branding and interview techniques.
Morenikeji said some of the participating companies were impressed by the students and expressed interest in returning, adding that the university viewed the initiative as the beginning of enduring industry partnerships.
She said KDU’s ambition was not merely to produce graduates for the Nigerian labour market but to equip them to compete internationally.
“Our goal is to produce graduates who can compete confidently on both national and global stages. They should leave the University with the knowledge, skills and confidence not only to succeed in the world of work but also to innovate, lead and create opportunities for themselves and their communities,” she said.
Morenikeji said research and innovation would also remain central to the university’s development strategy, noting that students and academics must be encouraged to generate knowledge capable of addressing real-world challenges.
She added that the institution would continue to strengthen academic programmes, staff development, research, partnerships and student welfare as part of efforts to improve the quality of education offered by the university.
The Vice-Chancellor, who is KDU’s first female occupant of the position, said her broader vision was to build an institution recognised for academic excellence, research strength, innovation, sound governance and sustainable growth.
She said the ultimate measure of the university’s success would be the quality, character and impact of its graduates.
“I want to be remembered for impact — not merely for occupying the office of Vice-Chancellor,” she said.
