By Dayo Johnson Akure
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‎The Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa ,Ondo state, will graduate 1,452 students during its 9th convocation ceremony, with 50 of them earning first class degrees across disciplines.

Addressing newsmen, ahead of its convocation, slated for March 4, the institutions ‎Vice Chancellor, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, said that out of the 1,452 undergraduates, 594 graduated with second-class upper honors, 691 with second-class lower honors, and 115 with third-class honors.

Prof. Ologunorisa added that the remaining 50 first-class graduates will be celebrated as the academic elite of the ceremony.
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‎Among the first class graduate, Agboola Isaiah, from the department of Electrical Engineering graduated as best graduating students with a total of 4.90 CGPA.
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‎The Vice Chancellor further said that this year convocation was special compared to others because it is the last presided over by him who has less than a year left in office, and it is the first time the university has conferred a PhD degree, awarded in mathematics.
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‎Ologunorisa emphasized that the convocation is not only a graduation ceremony but also a showcase of the university’s achievements in teaching, research, and community engagement over the past year.
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‎He said that “I want to invite you and let the public know that we are celebrating our 9th graduates.

“We are holding our 9th convocation ceremony on March 4, 2021, and by the grace of God, we will have about 1,452 graduates on that day.
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‎”This convocation is unique for two major reasons. First, it is the last convocation ceremony I will preside over, as I have less than a year to go. Second, for the first time, we are graduating a PhD student.
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‎”The university has always been an undergraduate institution, but we have now moved into research.

“While we have been graduating master’s students, this is the first PhD, and it happens to be in mathematics.”
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‎As part of the activities lined up for the ceremony, Ologunorisa noted that a University Don, Professor Andrew Spencer, from the University of Caribbean Maritime, Jamaica, will deliver the convocation lecture, entitled
“Strategies for developing blue economy in Nigeria: lessons from the Caribbean”.
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‎Showcasing the school achievements, the VC said that students enrollment has grown dramatically under his administration, from 5,000 to 12,000 in five years
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‎According to him, the number of faculties has expanded from three to seven, including the Schools of Management Sciences, Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Geology and Geophysics, and Computing, broadening academic opportunities for students.
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‎The Vice Chancellor added that”Another highlight of this convocation is to showcase our achievements as a university. It is not just about producing graduates but also demonstrating what we have accomplished over the past year.
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‎”The purpose of a university is teaching, research, and community engagement, and we have made significant progress in all these areas.

“Over the past five years, student enrollment has increased from 5,000 to 6,000, then to 8,500, and today we have a student population of 12,000. The number of faculties has also increased from three to seven.
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‎”The university is also well-managed. Staff salaries are paid regularly, on the 25th of each month, and all p0romotions and allowances are up to date. Retired staff and those who passed away during service have been fully paid.
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‎”We have maintained a stable academic calendar, ensuring students graduate on time and receive their results promptly.

“This stability has boosted the university’s reputation and increased public confidence, leading to a significant rise in enrollment.”
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‎With Ondo State preparing to kickstart the deep sea port, Ologunorisa, said that the university plans are ongoing for the school to start programmes in maritime studies
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He said that ‎”Next academic session, we plan to start programs in maritime studies, port management, maritime transport and logistics, and maritime economics and finance, in partnership with Caribbean Maritime University.