IN PURSUIT OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Professor Afolayan, J.O. Acting Vice Chancellor Landmark University, Omu-Aran

HIGHLIGHTS The PROBING Standards for Academic Excellence The PLATFORMS for Sustainable Academic Excellence The PLANS for Strengthening Academic Excellence CONCLUDING REMARKS

INTRODUCTION Simple Definition The pursuit of academic excellence is simply to strive to perform at the highest academic levels (standards) and then to sustain it.

Scriptural Challenge “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things… I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air” 1 Corinthians 9:24-26

PROBING STANDARDS Higher education has become the pathway to the empowerment of people and the development of nations. Knowledge generation has replaced ownership of capital assets and labor productivity as the source of growth and prosperity.

Probing Innovation is now seen as the springboard for development. Knowledge creation requires a network of scholars actively engaged in its pursuit because the search for the unknown is a product of engaged minds, constantly challenging the known in an enabling environment.

Probing The modern university is the ideal space for the ecosystem of scholars to search for new ideas in a spirit of free inquiry. The primacy of research over teaching was solidified in the Humboldtian version of the university, with the quest for knowledge as an ongoing creativity.

Probing The modern research university encourages deep specializations structured around disciplines. New knowledge today materializes at the boundaries of existing disciplines, and cross-fertilization of disciplinary understanding occurs in myriad ways.

Probing Relating research to the needs of society has become a dominant paradigm of the policy discourse in higher education. “The world is eagerly awaiting the emergence of the next big idea in the governance of academia and the metamorphosis of the university as a place of learning”. The ranking criteria of WCU!

THE PLATFORMS The clear Vision and Visioner To be a leading world class university, by spearheading an agrarian revolution on the African continent through exploration of hidden treasures in the mother-earth thereby restoring the dignity of the black race. Unflinching spiritual and financial support from the Vision Receiver.

b) The University Core Values Spirituality (Matthew 6:33) Integrity (Daniel 1:8) Possibility Mentality (Philippians 4:13) Capacity building (2 Timothy 2:2) Responsibility (I Corinthians 4:2) Diligence (Proverbs 22:29) Sacrifice (1 Corinthians 9:25)

c) Infrastructure Good housing Good and friendly classrooms Well equipped laboratories/workshops, etc Unmatched utility service Convenient Students hall of residence Well equipped library including virtual

d) The University Structure Centres/Units Proposed LUCARD TRF CSIS CLR LMUF LUC Proposed INTERNATIONAL and ALUMNI Offices

Structure cont’d Friendly and capacity building policies: Promotion Research grants Conference support Proposed Research clusters and centers of excellence to encourage group and inter/multidisciplinary research. Talented Faculties

THE PLAN a) Teaching As done currently, all lectures should end one week to examinations. Continuous assessments must be concluded at least two weeks to examinations. Not more than three assessments per course should be given before examinations.

Teaching cont’d Where two or more lecturers have taught before the mid-semester test, their questions should constitute the mid-semester assessment and should be conducted following the pattern of examinations (10 marks). Any other assessment after the mid-semester assessment should be in the form of quiz and should attract only 5 marks

Teaching cont’d Not more than one term paper per course is required. This should come early at the beginning of the semester and should involve all lecturers irrespective of their slot on the Time Table (Term papers should attract 10 marks). Continuous assessment for any course with practical/studio/field work, etc., should attract 10 marks.

Teaching cont’d The time-table should include periods for tutorials for all courses

b) Research The University will establish research clusters across the schools with the appropriate modus operandi. Research works will need to be in line with the research focus and goals of clusters of interest. Funding of research proposal to be based on group research.

Research cont’d iii. Funding of research clusters will be based on viable research proposal that will address salient society needs and advance knowledge. Every research cluster must map out well defined path for mission actualization.

Research cont’d All research clusters must present their findings in a well organized symposium to the University community before such can be supported for external conference. Conference support applications not routed through a research cluster will not be supported. This is to discourage deviation from the vision.

Research cont’d The week for Founder’s Day, College Weeks should be utilized for real academic activities where Departments can showcase their research outputs, innovations and creative works. This will form the forum for Management to assess which new research clusters need to be created.

Research cont’d Departments should hold monthly seminar and encourage all faculty to participate actively. Report of which should be forwarded through the LUCARD office (to be established) to the Vice Chancellor. LUCARD also is expected to host annual conference, workshops and exhibitions.

CONCLUDING REMARKS “Pursuing academic excellence has nothing to do with trying to be perfect; it has everything to do with remembering the reason why I am in the race in the first place.” … Wanda M Coleman. Remember that you are in this race because God created something in you that He wants to use to impact others.