The Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH), Igboora, has matriculated 2,273 students who have been admitted to the institution’s various programmes for the 2023/2024 academic year.
Addressing the 15th Matriculation ceremony conducted on school grounds, the Rector, Professor Akinola Akinlabi, congratulated the matriculating students and described the ceremony as a formal recognition of their studentship.
He exhorted the students to make the most of this great and rare opportunity to learn, interact, and acquire information, while emphasising that the university will not tolerate any sort of indiscipline, disruptive behaviour, cultism, or indecent apparel.
As a result, the Rector encouraged them students avoid joining any club that advocates violence.
He claimed that the institution’s vision is to become a leading centre of excellence in agriculture, technology, and management by teaching the youth about innovation, food security, and job creation.
According to him, “the institution places a high value on practical, entrepreneurship training, research, and community service.
“The programmes being run are designed to equip students with vocational and entrepreneurship skills for innovation, food sufficiency and self-employment.”
Professor Akinlabi went on to say that the university will continue to create an enabling environment for teaching and research and that students will soon be able to use recently delivered TETFUND equipment.
He went on to say that students will receive additional training thanks to the institution’s collaboration with Women in Agriculture and Technical Education (WATEA), the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Galaxy Backbone, and other notable individuals.
Professor Akinlabi praised Oyo State’s Executive Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, for his consistent commitment to paying staff salaries on a regular basis.
He also praised the Governing Council, led by Professor Lateef Sanni, for its contributions to the university’s development.
The Rector went on to say that Prof. Sanni would be remembered for donating the modern Garri processing factory through Cassava Adding Value Africa phase II, as well as for his exceptional leadership qualities that propelled the polytechnic forward.
The Registrar, Mr R.F.A Adeniji, administered the matriculation oath and charged the students to follow the rules and regulations that govern their conduct on campus.
The programme was well-attended by Deans of Faculties and other Management members, including the Deputy Rector, Dr Taiwo Akinyemi; Bursar, Mr Ogundapo Aderemi; Polytechnic Librarian, Dr Olatundun Oyewumi; Engr. Dauda Salaam Adeniran; Director of Works and Services, Mr Kolawole Atanda; Auditor, Mr. Olajire Gbadamosi; and Secretary to Management and Chairman of the Committee of Deans, Dr Oladopo Ojo.