Universities must innovate for a future that accommodates degrees and micro-credentials, intellective and job skills, using online or hybrid delivery models, Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada in Edo State, Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, has said.
This was the thrust of the 10th memorial lecture in honour of University of Lagos (UNILAG) 10th Vice Chancellor, the late Prof Babatunde Sofoluwe, at the institution.
The professor of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Forensics, in his lecture: ‘Future Universities and Future-ready Graduates: Transition from Rhetorics to Realities,’ reiterated the need for innovative curriculum that fits into changing landscape of higher education.
Deputy Vice Chancellor of Development Service at UNILAG, Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa, noted curriculum should respond to industry needs.
“We must work at curriculum improvement and reform. Curriculum should be designed to respond to industry needs. We need to address our pedagogy; how we deliver training, in such a way that will engage students in a participatory way…
”We need to embrace what technology offers to widen opportunities to access knowledge.
“We cannot talk of technology only at higher education level. We must talk about technology from start. That means government must be serious about digital penetration.
“For digital penetration to be effective, you need accessibility and access. We must address poverty,” she noted.
Chairman of UNILAG Alumni Association in Lagos,, Adedeji Owoeye, noted “the future of universities is driven by technology. Universities should re-focus on this.
“There’s need to do more. The future is technology. There should be proper funding in the area of research.”
Occasion Chairman, Prof. Rosemary Egonmwan, said Sofoluwe is ‘an embodiment of simplicity and humility.’
