Digital innovations, international partnerships will propel universities to new heights – TASUED VC

Banjo

Damilola Ajibola

The Vice Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED),Ijagun, Ogun State, Professor Oluwole Banjo, has identified digital innovations and international partnerships, as some of the keys that would propel the nation’s universities to new heights.

He stated this in his keynote address at the 2023 annual lecture of Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA), TASUED Chapter,  that technology has disrupted traditional ways of doing things across the globe, hence the need for members of ANUPA to embrace technology in shaping the future of the nation’s universities.

Banjo said that the theme of the annual lecture, ” Synergizing Digital Transformation and Global Collaborations for 21st Century University Advancements,” was apt and appropriate considering the unprecedented digital transformation the world is experiencing.

The VC added, ” Technology has disrupted traditional systems, redefined the way we learn, work, and communicate. It has restructured industries and given birth to new possibilities. 

“The academic sector is no exception. Universities, as the repositories of knowledge and drivers of progress, must adapt to this ever-evolving landscape.

“Our commitment to leveraging digital transformation is not merely about embracing the latest gadgets or platforms; it’s about fostering innovation, inclusivity and relevance in higher education. It’s about empowering our students and faculty with the tools and skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

“By harnessing the power of technology, we can democratize education, provide personalized learning experiences and ensure our graduates are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.”

The institution’s Registrar, Dapo Oke, in his remarks submitted that a university administrator is an incomplete professional if he or she fails to embrace media and technology as essential tools in service delivery.

He hinted that no University in the 21st century can survive without a robust digital deployment.

Oke appreciated the University management for the Continuing Professional Development of its staff for optimal performance, and also encouraged them not to deter in training staffs of the University to acquire, develop and constantly update in three core areas of organisational, technological and communication skills in order to have a team of highly branded University Administrative elites with adequate education and professional finesse.

He said that the theme of the lecture, “further envisions a creative development with adequate knowledge of modern administrative skills to broaden our growth and development into world-class Administrators towards achieving our dream towards becoming a 21st century University Administrators in the global needs of the Nation’s educational system.

“This is because no university in the 21st century can survive without a robust digital deployment.  It should be part of ANUPA major objectives to make our career administrators highly efficient in the use of media and Information Communication Technology (ICT). 

“As custodian of records and facilitator of core administrative activities in the university, we should provide leadership for a registry driven automation of university administrative process in order to ensure efficiency of operations and fast track university synergy with global trend and best practices.

“In TASUED, we have commenced with full automation of services in the Academic Affairs and the PG College, the Admission office is fully digitalized, and we shall soon go to Human Resources Management to deploy office automation for best delivery system.”