A set of 12 students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, have proceeded to the United States’ Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, to complete their undergraduate programmes.
The students will be in the US for two sessions based on an existing academic exchange programme and memorandum of understanding between FUTA and FAMIJ.
FUTA Vice-Chancellor, Adebiyi Daramola, at a departure send-off for the students, urged the students, the fourth set in a series, to sustain and improve on the already established positive image of the University during their academic sojourn in America.
He also reviewed the performance of students in the collaboration since the inception of the 4+1+1 programme under which selected FUTA students completed the last year of their undergraduate programme in FAMU, and proceed to do their masters.
“I am very happy to announce to you that your predecessors in the programme have made us proud,” he said.
“They keep our flag flying and keep making us shine. I want you to make FUTA shine better. Since the programme started, we have received positive reports about our students. They have performed morally and academically well.
“As I am talking to you, one of them who went in 2014 will be completing his Doctorate in April, 2017. This is a great feat, he is almost a Ph.D. holder.
“That is why I always say the sky is not just the limit, but the starting point for the serious type. Therefore, I urge you to utilize this rare opportunity to your full advantage.”
Mr. Daramola urged the students to justify their parents’ investment and be good ambassadors of their parents, the University and Nigeria.
He also assured the University community about his administration’s effort in increasing collaboration with world class Universities.
“Our collaboration with world class Universities keep soaring. By next year, our students will be going to Germany. This is because we want them to have opportunities their peers in other Universities in Nigeria don’t have,” he said.
Also, the Director, International Office, FUTA, Akintunde Akindahunsi, advised the students to focus on their studies and not misuse the opportunity.
According to him, America is a land of opportunities open to both success and failure, depending on one’s choice.
He implored them to tread the path to success and be good ambassadors of the University.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Oladosun Olayinka of the Department of Metallurgical and Material Engineering (MME) assured the University Management and parents that they would be of good behavior and represent the nation well.
He thanked the Vice-Chancellor for the opportunity his tenure is offering students through the collaboration with world class Institutions; saying it had made FUTA globally relevant.
Expressing their delight, Akintola Taofeek Kayode of the Department of Electrical Electronics Engineering and Obinegbo Oluchukwu Chidinma, said they were excited about the opportunity the University had afforded them to be exposed to the outside world.
“I did not expect this coming my way when I started my studies here, but I see it as God’s making,” Taofeek said. “I want to advise other students to study hard because there is no time success cannot come ones way.”
“I am really excited with this achievement. You cannot come by this opportunity in other higher Institutions in Nigeria,” Chidima said. “It is a rare privilege that should not be abused”.
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