The Rector, Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, Dr. Abiodun Oluseye, on Wednesday, announced plans for establishing an innovation center aimed at equipping students with practical skills.
He emphasized that this training initiative is designed to empower graduates to become job creators, thus alleviating unemployment in the country.
Oluseye revealed that the innovation center, set to launch imminently, will integrate hands-on skill development into students’ academic curriculum. This will include training in various areas such as drone and air conditioner manufacturing, drone piloting, and more.
Furthermore, he stated the institution’s commitment to producing its inaugural drone by the year’s end.
These developments were disclosed during the matriculation ceremony for over 3,000 newly admitted students for the 2023/2024 academic session, held at the Prince Dapo Abiodun Twin Lecture Theatre of the institute.
He said, “As part of our efforts to make our students stand out and make our graduates employers of labour and not those who will be looking for jobs, we are about signing an MoU for an innovation center for the institution.
“The world is already moving away from theoretical approaches. This center will be equipped to train students alongside their studies in some hands-on skills like manufacturing drones and air conditioners, piloting drones and many other things.
“It is a sure way to contribute to strengthening our local economy and I want to believe that our first drone should be ready before the year ends.”
The rector, however, warned the matriculating students to stay away from cultism, gangsterism, indecent dressing among other anti-social acts that could hinder them from achieving their academic goals.
Oluseye urged them to be wary of their circles of friends and associates and not to fall victim to evil associations that could cause a derailment in their studies.
He said, “I, however, wish to reiterate here that the institute’s management has zero tolerance for all forms of anti-social behaviours ranging from examination malpractices, forgery of any kind, gangsterism, cultism, armed robbery, indecent dressing and other societal ills.
“It is my candid prayer that the labours of your parents or guardians over you shall not be in vain. But let me implore you to be careful in choosing your friends so that peer group influence does not derail you.
“Kindly remember that your time is limited, it is therefore incumbent on you to make the best use of the advantage you have. Never give room for distracting agents. Most importantly, summon the courage to pursue your dream and study hard for success.”
The Rector revealed further that all the 39 courses of the institute have been accredited
He said, “We are in affiliation with CISCO Networking Academy for the award of Professional Certificate in Information Technology (IT) Essentials CCNA 1,2,3,4 and CCNP.”
The rector listed construction of roads, upgrading of some of the decrepit infrastructures in the institution, rejigging of the security architecture of the school, payment of salaries arrears among others as some of the interventions of his six months old administration.
