The Vice-Chancellor, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Nigeria, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, has advocated for the establishment of a teaching hospital in the Southern Senatorial District of Ondo State.

The world celebrated scientist, who made the clarion call during the 3rd Convocation of the University held on Tuesday, 4th March, 2025 at the institution in Okitipupa, stated that findings indicate that the southern district is lagging behind in the access to medical education and tertiary healthcare.

Ologunorisa, therefore, appealed to the Visitor to the University, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, to consider upgrading the State Specialist Hospital at Okitipupa or Igbokoda to a teaching hospital for the health benefit of the people of the area and to engender the smooth take-off of the planned OAUSTECH's College of Medicine.

Appreciating His Excellency for restoration of electricity to Ondo South Senatorial District of the state, the Vice-Chancellor noted that this made it possible for the University to enjoy uninterrupted electricity supply, arguing that it has enhanced teaching, quality research and an environment conducive for learning.

Thanking Governor Aiyedatiwa for his unwavering support to the University, the Vice-Chancellor urged the Visitor to magnanimously increase the monthly subvention to the institution and ensure prompt release of the capital grants as provided for in the 2025 budgetary allocation.

He also appreciated the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Professor Akinbo Adesomoju and members of the University Governing Council for their supports and cooperation with his management team.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted some of his administration's modest achievements to include uninterrupted academic calendar since his assumption of duty on 23rd February, 2022, full accreditation of all programmes offered by the University by the National Universities Commission (NUC), infrastructural development through Tetfund interventions such as the building and completion of School of Management and renovation of School of Science and completion of four blocks 3-bedroom flats through IGR among others.

He enumerated other feats to include prioritization and higher commitment to staff welfare with regular salary payment and clearance of all arrears, increase in student enrolment, creation four additional schools to the existing three and new programmes, establishment of Centre for Internalization and Linkages which facilitates collaboration and partnership with renowned institutions worldwide such as Meijo University, Japan.

Also, the Vice-Chancellor celebrated some staff and students of the University for their exceptional achievements. These include Dr. Bartholomew Saanu Adeleke who was rated as one of the 2024 top 2% scientists in the world by Elsevier and Stanford University, Dr. Alaba Joseph Adebayo as a recipient of the best Ph.D thesis award in Chemistry for 2025 by the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences (NSPS) and Dr. Cecilia Oluwamodupe for winning $50,000 grants from European Science Granting Council.

The celebrated students include Oluwaferanmi Aderoju for winning the second best undergraduate project in Applied Geophysics in Nigeria from the Nigerian Geological Agency, Olorunfemi Babalola of Class 2023, Biochemistry programme with CGPA of 4.28 admitted for direct Ph.D in Neuroscience by the University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA, Paul Olamide Ottu equally of Class 2023, Biochemistry programme with CGPA 4.62 admitted into direct Ph.D in Neurosciences at the University of Wyoming, Larmie, Wyoming, USA, Charles David of Biochemistry programme, Class 2023, as well admitted for direct Ph.D in Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry at Ohio State University, USA and Miss Gift Oluwasegun, also of Biochemistry programme, 2022 set, admitted into direct Ph.D in Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Rhodes, Rhodes Island, USA.

"These achievements are testament of our commitment to academic excellence and research," Prof. Ologunorisa submitted.

 Source : OAUSTECH Directorate of Information, Protocol and Public Relations