The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, says the poor ranking of Nigerian universities in the global ranking of universities is worrisome.
He, however, noted that with an enabling environment and commitment, the ranking portfolio of the nation’s universities would change positively.
The VC spoke on Monday in Ilorin at a briefing to herald the commencement of the university’s 30th convocation.
Ambali said, “The latest ranking of international colleges and universities places the university (UNILORIN) first in Nigeria, 20th in Africa and 1,842nd in the world. We shall not be satisfied to occupy the position we currently do on the global stage until we are ranked among the best 200.
“The United States alone, not to talk of other advanced countries, has much more than 3,000 universities, yet they are enjoying favourable ranking.”
The VC, who on the occasion appealed to the Federal Government to assist in the fencing of the university, said the call was imperative in order to enhance further the protection of lives and property of its students and workers.
Ambali also noted that the university’s 10,000 hectares of oil palm plantation would help in improving its internally generated revenue and agricultural research.
He noted that Malaysia, which reportedly imported palm seedlings from Nigeria in the 1960s, now rely on oil for its foreign exchange earnings.
According to him, it is ironical that Nigeria now imports about 500,000 metric tons of palm oil annually, while Malaysia earned N5.314tn from palm oil exports in 2012 to the United States, the European Union, China and India.
He added that the university would soon establish a virology laboratory to enable it to investigate communicable and non-communicable diseases in order to check their transmission and spread in the country.
0 Response to "Poor ranking of Nigerian varsities worrisome –UNILORIN VC"
Post a Comment