By Adesina Wahab

University administrators from across Nigeria have emphasised the need for universities to adopt and use new technologies to remain relevant in today’s world.

They gave the charge on Thursday at the second Registry Lecture organized by the registry department of Trinity University, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos.

The theme of the lecture was “Digital disruption and the registry workforce: Rethinking roles, repositioning capacity and building future readiness”. It was delivered by Dr Mrs Taiwo Ipaye, a former Registrar of the University of Lagos, UNILAG..

Speaking on the occasion, the Vice Chancellor of Trinity University, Prof. Clement Kolawole, said there was no doubt that technological innovations in various forms have come to stay.

“Technological disruption has affected a lot of things in the education sector. For instance, it has affected the ability of students to write well. However, we cannot do without technology in today’s world. It has become vital, expedient, obligatory to be equipped with technological skills or there will be no job for anybody in the registry department of a university or the registry department will not even exist,” he stated.

The Chairman of the occasion, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Prof. Oyedunni Arulogun, described the theme as critical to university administration .

“Technology has already transformed our work but the question is, are we ready? AI will enhance our work and build on what we know. There is a base for AI to function. We have to strengthen analytical and problem solving skills..We must position our registry for the future in the university system,” she noted.
In his welcome address, the Registrar of Trinity University, Mr David Oyejide, said the first edition was a landmark event that set a high standard for scholarly engagement and practical discourse.

“The lecture reaffirmed the importance of the Registry as the heartbeat of the university system, and it reminded us that our relevance depends on our ability to adapt, reposition, and support institutional development, which is indispensable for good governance

“This second edition of the Trinity University Registry Lecture Series, with the theme “Digital Disruptions and the Registry Workforce: Rethinking Roles, Repositioning Capacity and Building Future Readiness”, could not be more timely. In an era where technology continues to redefine the way we live, work, and learn, the Registry must not only anticipate change but also adapt to change. I am sure we will be challenged to rethink our roles, reposition our strategies, and embrace innovation in order to remain relevant to be effective custodians of institutional records, processes, and governance.”

He expressed gratitude to Dr. Ipaye for accepting to deliver the lecture and serving as a role model and mentor to a number of people in the registry departments of many universities.

He also commended Prof. Arulogun for accepting to chair the event at a short notice.
Delivering her lecture, Dr Ipaye opined that to effectively navigate digital disruption in the registry section of any university, certain things must be done.

She listed them to include developing a workforce transformation strategy; conducting skills audits; identifying future competency requirements; aligning workforce structure with digital goals; investing in upskilling and reskilling; implementing continuous training programmes; encouraging digital literacy at all levels; providing access to modern learning tools.
She also recommended strengthening digital infrastructure; adopting cloud-based systems,
implementing integrated data management among others.
Ipaye also advised universities to introduce pilot digital systems, begin workforce training at a level they could cope with if there would be difficulties in doing so at a large scale.
As part of the event, Police Inspector, Justina Omogbai was honoured by the university for her interest in ensuring students of schools in the Sabo area go to school on time and to also dress properly among other support she renders to the students.
Staff of the registry departments from the University of Ibadan, UNILAG, Chrisland University, Lagos State University of Education, Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, etc attended the event.