Olubusuyi Adenipekun
31 July 2008
In its determination to make the nation's universities offering Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) degree programme conform with minimum academic and professional standards, the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT) has taken its inspection tour to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology.
The visitation team was satisfied with the facilities on ground and accordingly, granted provisional accreditation to the SLT programme of the university for 2007/2008 and 2009/2010 academic session.
By this accreditation, graduates of the SLT programmes are eligible to register as Associate members (Chartered) of the Institute in accordance with the provisions of Act 12 of 2003 establishing the
Institute to enable them contribute to national development.
The inspection team, which was led by the Registrar/DG/CEO of the Institute, Dr. Ighodalo Folorunso Ijagbone, included council members, directors and other professional experts.
The University's Head of Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Funmilayo Adelowo-Imeokparia, received the visiting team to the department.
While welcoming the team, she reassured the Institute of the university"s interest in the programme as demonstrated by the provision of its own departmental building accommodating the general laboratories and offices for staff of the department. She appreciated the visitation at this time of the formative stage of the programme which would add value to its development within the University.
After interacting with the Head of department and other staff members, the team inspected the laboratories, programme curriculum, student's records and other facilities.
They were conducted round the facilities after which they held an interactive sessions with the students of the programme.
Dr. Ijagbone commended the university's management for the initiative to mount the SLT degree programme which he noted was given a full-fledged status amongst other degree programmes visited.
He expressed satisfaction with the human and material resources for the programme. He however stated the need for the department to have its own staff in future to accord some level of academic independence.
He also advised the provision of a glassblowing workshop for the programme which according to him, would benefit the university.
Responding, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Benjamin Babatunde Adeleke appreciated the team from NISLT, saying that SLT programme is relatively a new programme in the university and that they are putting facilities in place to ensure that students are exposed to the best practices in the field. He said
"We found out that it is a very expensive programme as there are so many options to cater for. However the university is committed to providing enough facilities, equipment and laboratory space to ensure students get the best from the programme.We are mounting the programme not just because we want to increase the number of students in the university but because we discovered that we don't have competent hands to manage our laboratories, and since we are told to discontinue with the programme at diploma, level the only option is to embrace it as a degree programme."
Prof. Adeleke said the university relies solely on NISLT to give professional guidance on how to run the programme "We would like NISLT to send us competent hands and to interact with our students through workshops and seminars so that they will know that they are venturing into a dynamic and profitable profession. At the degree level, SLT programme is relatively new and students need to see other practitioners in the field so that they can be motivated within their professional career.
The university's Director Academic Planning, Prof. Odunsi said the challenge of having competent and trained lecturers to manage the department would soon be a thing of the past. He said "I thank the Vice Chancellor for being supportive notwithstanding other competing issues that the university is facing.
We will nip all loopholes in the bud and make sure that all equipment and facilities needed are provided for the student".
Present at the meeting were the Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Olusegun Odunola and other principal officers of the university.
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I'm a student of d University of port-harcourt, physics wit production technology, ISLT. I appreciate ISLT programme alot but i appeal 2 d government 2 grant students of ISLT d opportunity 2 serve the country (NYSC) after d programme. WITH GREAT TECHNOLOGIST, there wil b a change in d technology of NIGERIA. Thanks b 2 d founder of ISLT.
GUD DAY SIR/MA I AM A GRUDUATING STUDENT FROM THE NIGERIA INSTITUTE OS SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY IN CONJUCTION WITH FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AKURE AT HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA,WITH THE GRADE OF LOWER CREDIT.PLS CAN I BE EMPLOY AS THE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST,IN YOUR NEW DEPARTMENT.PLS WHEN ARE THE NEW INTAKE RESUMING FOR THE PROGRAMME PLS KINDLY SEND BACK TO ME THANKS. ESTHER AKINJISE