The newly inaugurated Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Prof. Tomola Obamuyi, has unveiled a five-point development agenda aimed at repositioning the institution as a globally competitive centre for academic excellence, research and innovation.
Obamuyi disclosed this on Wednesday during his investiture as the university's seventh substantive Vice Chancellor at the institution's Multipurpose Hall, where he formally assumed office for a five-year tenure.
The new vice chancellor acknowledged challenges confronting the university, including inadequate funding, infrastructure deficits and the need to strengthen internally generated revenue, but noted that the institution had continued to record progress under previous administrations.
He praised his predecessors for laying a solid foundation and producing graduates who have distinguished themselves nationally and internationally.
Presenting his vision, Obamuyi introduced the "AAUA FIRST Strategy," a development blueprint anchored on five pillars: Funding Opportunities, Infrastructural Development, Research and Academic Excellence, Service to Staff, Students, Partners and the Community, as well as Technological Advancement.
According to him, sustainable funding will remain the cornerstone of his administration, stressing that universities must diversify their income sources to remain competitive and reduce dependence on government allocations.
To achieve this, he proposed seeking an upward review of the institution's monthly subvention from the Ondo State Government while mobilising at least 1,000 financially capable alumni to make monthly contributions towards funding research and innovation.
The vice chancellor also announced plans to expand the university's commercial agriculture, restructure AAUA Ventures into profit-driven enterprises and develop the institution into a hub for agricultural innovation, renewable energy research and entrepreneurship.
On infrastructure, Obamuyi said his administration would prioritise the completion of abandoned TETFund projects, construct a 3,000-capacity multipurpose auditorium and establish a modern Information and Communications Technology Application Centre through strategic partnerships.
He further revealed plans to strengthen research capacity by creating a Grantsmanship Task Force to attract local and international research grants, while introducing new academic programmes, including FinTech, Business Information Technology, Project Management Science, Digital Health and Health Informatics, and Capital Market Studies.
The vice chancellor pledged to promote industrial harmony by prioritising staff welfare, merit-based promotions, regular engagement with labour unions, improved working conditions and the introduction of an Annual Staff Excellence Awards programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Visitor to the university and Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as well as the Governing Council, for the confidence reposed in him, assuring stakeholders of transparent leadership and measurable progress.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Tunji Abayomi, described Obamuyi's emergence as the product of a transparent and merit-based selection process. He urged the new vice chancellor to uphold the institution's values while promoting innovation, peace and collaboration.
The Registrar, Dr Olubunmi Babalola, said the inauguration marked the beginning of a new phase in the university's development, expressing confidence that the new administration would consolidate past achievements and elevate AAUA's global standing.
Also speaking, the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, congratulated Obamuyi on his appointment and appealed to members of the university community to support him in moving the institution to greater heights.
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