LAUTECH, Best State University: Alumni Appeal to Oyo Government to drop renaming of the Institution, says there is Technology in all Courses

The Alumni Association of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso has appealed to Oyo State Government to drop renaming of the institution to Ladoke Akintola University (LAU), Mouthpiece NGR reports. 

The association explained that thousands of graduates of the institution would suffer in their workplaces if the governor goes ahead to rename the institution.

Recalls that the institution, which was established in April 23, 1990 was formerly owned by both Oyo and Osun States. The institution was recently ceded to Oyo State after an agreement was reached with Osun State to allow the institution to be solely owned by the Oyo State Government.

Oyo State Government led by Makinde has decided to rename the institution from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) to Ladoke Akintola University (LAU). 

Mouthpiece NGR had earlier reported that the bill which seeks to amend the name of the institution and the current status of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH Ogbomoso from a technical institution to a conventional university scaled second reading in the Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday. 

The alumni association of the institution has, however, raised the alarm that the proposed change of the name would affect them.

The association, after its emergency meeting, presided over by its global President, Hon. Solomon Onilede, insisted that thousands of graduates of LAUTECH at undergraduate, postgraduate and professional levels would suffer a huge setback in their places of work if the governor goes to rename the institution.

The association in a statement signed by its global secretary, Professor Azeem Ige, said that it is the prayer of the association that the name of the institution be retained.

Ige in a statement made available to Mouthpiece NGR on Tuesday added that renaming of LAUTECH would demoralize all stakeholders.

He added that renaming of the institution would return the university to zero level.

“That the enabling documents and technical papers that established the university had already captured all the programmes in different fields of study. These programme are to be rolled out in phases as the university advances; such as Agriculture, Engineering, Medicine, Sciences, Environmental sciences, Pharmacy, Law, Education, Arts, Social Sciences.

“That license to establish the University of Technology was given after due diligence and evaluation was carried out albinitio to the technical report.”

“The word “Technology” does not reside in Engineering exclusively instead, it connotes advancement in different fields of study. Therefore, there is: Technology in law, Technology in Arts, Technology in Education, Technology in Pharmacy, Technology in Agriculture etc.”

“That the strength of the university resides in the technical way of administering services in terms of Teaching, Research and Administration which have given the university its unmatched popularity among the comity of universities Nationally and Globally. Evidently LAUTECH currently wears the beaded crown as the best state university in Nigeria and has also been rated within Africa and the globe at large.

“That the unique name is LAUTECH”

“That thousands of graduates of LAUTECH at Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Professional Levels, would suffer a huge setback in their places of work which might be irredeemable if the University is renamed.”

“Renaming of LAUTECH would demoralize all stakeholders (Staff, Parents, Students, Immediate community, members of Alumni Association and would return the University to zero level.

“Global and national correspondences of would be greatly affected.”

“Celebrating LAUTECH, the best State University should continue with proper funding for teaching and research so as to occupy a vintage position globally.”

“There are several universities of Technology within the country and abroad that run numerous programmes such as laws, Technology, Education etc.”

“We sincerely appreciate Governor Seyi Makinde for his unalloyed support to the University.”

“It is our prayer that the branded name of LAUTECH be retained even to accommodate the name LAUTECH is strong enough to accommodate all other programmes as envisaged in the technical paper that established the University.”