Vice-Chancellor Professor Ibiyemi Latunji-Bello (mni) sponsored a discussion with campus journalists, bloggers, influencers, and student representatives on Tuesday, September 3, 2023 at the university’s main campus in Ojo. The workshop was planned as a celebration of her second year in office.
According to the LASU Centre for Public Relations (CIPR), the discussion was organised to address concerns raised by student representatives and solicit direct feedback from the student body on the vice chancellor’s office through those representatives.
In her opening address, the vice chancellor acknowledged everyone who had a part in the institution’s success, particularly the students.
She added that throughout her two years in office, her administration had achieved historic achievement while carefully attending to the requirements of the institution’s pupils.
She said: “In that period, by the grace of God and the support of all stakeholders, including and especially our world-class students, we have made some modest achievements and moved the university forward. Like I clearly stated upon assumption of office, our vision is to make LASU the best university in West Africa, and I’m glad to say that we are on the way to achieving that…”
She noted that the chat session was primarily organized to inform students of the institution about the interventions that have been made to ensure that they enjoy outstanding academic experience, address some of their complaints regarding some policies and decisions of the university and gather feedback directly from students to enable the institution make informed decisions on matters relating to students.
She further stated the achievements of her administration on the welfare of the students in the space of two years, which include an uninterrupted academic calendar, the completion and handover of the student arcade, the near completion of the 8,000-capacity hostel in the institution’s main campus which would be available to students from next session, installation of CCTV cameras in strategic locations across LASU campuses amongst other achievements.
When asked what more the administration has in store for students, the Vice-Chancellor noted that work is ongoing to ensure that the road network in LASU campuses is motorable.
She also noted that the construction of the LASU water and bottling company is completed and would commence production once NAFDAC approval is obtained, further stating that plans for a LASU fire station are underway.
The Vice-Chancellor announced that the Student Life and LASU Staff Corner applications would be launched soonest; these apps are intended to provide easy access to all portals that staff and students of the institution need to access and disseminate information on a one-tap basis.
When asked about overcrowded classrooms in LASU, the Vice-Chancellor aver that the management has directed and provided for the commencement of hybrid classroom across faculties, noting that defaulting faculties would be called to order; she further noted that hybrid classroom is where all universities in the country are headed according to the direction of the National University Council.
To cushion the harsh economic situation for students, the Vice Chancellor directed for a bus to be made available to convey students from nearby locations around the school once in the morning and twice in the evening from Mondays to Fridays.
On the late release of results, the Director of the LASU- ICT noted that results would be accessible from Saturday 7th when the correction window would officially open; the Director of the Sandwich program also assured the student populace that outstanding results would be uploaded.
In response to concerns about a second semester that was too short, the vice chancellor stated that the semester had been extended by two weeks. Exams will start on November 15th, and the portal for course registration would be open until October 30th.
In regards to security, the Head of Security gave the LASU community the reassurance that all actions done, such as checking bags at institution access points, etc., are best for their protection and will thus be maintained.
Members of the management, including the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Tajudeen Olumoko, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, Professor Olufunsho Omobitan, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Professor Adenike Moses, and other top university officials, participated in the chat, which was broadcast live on LASU’s official social media.
