Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, is arguably one of the best states universities in Nigeria. This correspondent gathered useful and germane information for prospective, current and old students of the university.
HISTORY
Adekunle Ajasin University with the motto “for learning and service” at first established as Obafemi Awolowo University in March 1982, by the government of the old Ondo State, headed by late Chief Adekunle Ajasin.
The immediate succeeding military government of Navy Commodore, Michael Bamidele Otiko changed its name to Ondo State University in 1986. The institution later relocated to Akungba by the then government of the state by Chief Adebayo Adefarati, in November 1999, and this brought about the movement of workers from old site in Ado-Ekiti to Akungba-Akoko, on December 1999.
Governor Adebayo Adefarati in 2004 changed the institution name to Adekunle Ajasin University, in order to immortalise the late governor, Adekunle Ajasin. The amended and subsisting statutes of the University were signed into law in November 2007.
Arguably, the history of AAUA started in 1982; its relocation on November 5 1999 marked the beginning of the second phase of its history.
Aftermath of the relocation
Adekunle Ajasin University after the relocation to Akungba, faced many challenges, relating to inadequate and less equipped lecture rooms, offices, hotel and laboratory spaces and above all, instability in leadership, while commendable effort were made to tackle all these challenges.
The emergence of Prof. Femi Mimiko in January 2010, as the Vice Chancellor of AAUA, birthed numerous developments to Adekunle Ajasin University.
14 years after the creation of the University, Prof. Mimiko brought into the University strong administration and unfeigned sense of purpose. AAUA has managed to access full accreditation of courses.
Prof. Femi Mimiko tenure shaped a huge part of AAUA. Over the years, succeeding administrations leverage on the existing and new ideas to lift the institution to a first class university in research knowledge, character and service to humanity.
The University focus on the expansion of infrastructure, enhancement of students support services, in 2010 the University launch the school campus shuttle service to ease the problem of transportation faced by staffs and students especially inside the campus.
On March 22, 2013 former Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko inaugurated six building projects, these include, over 500-capacity Obafemi Awolowo Lecture Theater, The University Electrification project, The Vice Chancellor’s Lodge, The University Guest House, The University Shopping Arena, and The University Gymnasium. From 2009-2013, AAUA has executed over 60 projects to tackle the challenges of inadequate lecture rooms, offices, laboratories and other amenities.
The number of physical project delivered in the past 10 years is much more than the first 10 years of existence, some of the compelling infrastructures include: the Senate Building, 10 Kilometers Road Network, Over 500-Capacity Obafemi Awolowo Lecture Theater, University Staff School, University Health Centre. The U-Classroom Block, The Internet Resources Centre, University Shopping Arena (Aluta Market), Bursary Village, Electrification Project, 30-Classroom Quadrangle, The 600-Capacity Umaru Yar’Adua Lecture Theater, and Laboratory Buildings.
ACADEMIC
Adekunle Ajasin University offers undergraduate and post-graduate programmes, as well as pre-degree and JUPEB programmes in fields ranging from Sciences, Arts, Education, Law, Social Sciences, and Agricultural Sciences. In 2020 with the approval of National Universities Commission (NUC), AAUA now offers Environmental Design and Management courses.
AAUA offers programmes for Bachelor, Masters, and Doctorate degrees. Admission requirements into any of these programmes may differ, based on your preferred courses or faculty.
ACCOMMODATION
NDDC sponsored 400-Capacity male hostel located off campus, OSOPADEC sponsored 550-Capacity female hostel and the Hall of Residence designed to provide 12 thousands bed space for student with the inclusiveness of physically challenged students.
Adekunle Ajasin University is the heartbeat of Akungba Akoko with students occupying more than half of the houses built in the town. This shows that majority of the students live off-campus due to insufficient hostel accommodation and for reasons best known to the students.
SPORTS
AAUA sport complex provides indoor and outdoor sporting activities such as table tennis, badminton, soccer, basketball, cricket, Judo, track and field events that encourage staffs and students to be physically fit. The center is equipped with ultra-modern facilities, which includes a large gymnasium, standard football field. AAUA students participate in competitions within and outside the Univerisity — Nigeria University Game Association and West Africa University’s Games.
STUDENT UNIONISM
In standard global practice, a student union body is saddled with the responsibility of managing the affairs of students to represent the interest of students.
AAUA student political system is Democratic in nature, every year students vote for the candidates of their choice in a free and fair election. Arguably, AAUA unionism activities are not totally independent from the management.
AAUA Student Union Building was built by late Chief Olusegun Agagu, former governor of Ondo State in 2006 to serve as a secretariat to the Student Union body in AAUA.
The first elected Student Union president was Fasesi Olusegun, according to records.
Author
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