2020/21 LASU ACADEMIC SESSION: VC’s Address To Matriculating Student—It is with delight that I stand to welcome you all to the 2020/2021 Matriculation of our fresh Students. At this moment, you are still Freshmen waiting to be pronounced as students of this great Institution. I have a strong feeling for this moment knowing that this is the last set of candidates that I will conduct their matriculation as the 8th substantive Vice Chancellor. Let me see you 10 years down the line and be proud of you.
During the 2020 admission screening exercise, we recorded 21,626 applications but we were only able to admit 7,968. Consequently, you should consider yourself lucky to be here. It is one thing to be here, it is another thing to earn your stay on campus.
Matriculating under any circumstances is a great achievement, so many overcame a lot to be here, navigated challenging classes and challenges outside the classroom.
In the last 4 years and 10 months, LASU has undergone metamorphic changes that have guaranteed conducive learning, preparedness to take on global challenges and a stable academic calendar. These amongst many other things were achievable with the corporation between management, staff and students. What is primarily required of you during your stay on campus is good morals and academic excellence.
Challenges come with opportunities, the pandemic has put us on a global spotlight, it has truly been an unprecedented time that didn’t avail us an opportunity to adopt models but rather set us up as creators of models and frontiers in the management of human and material resources.
These are not normal times. The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 did not limit knowledge creation and community service of our great citadel of knowledge. The Faculty of Science massively and locally created hand sanitizers and face masks, the Faculty of Engineering designed an automated soap and sanitizer dispenser that is currently in use at the New Senate Building.
To the matriculating students; your choice of LASU will help you sow seeds of change. As teeming adults, you must be ready to embrace the consequences of responsibility. We have rules at the Lagos State University -on dressing, cultism and conduct. Deviance from these rules can lead to accelerated graduation, i.e. expulsion, dismissal and rustication. It is imperative that you acquaint yourselves with the Student’s Handbook.
I also implore parents and guardians to keep up with their wards; your support will go a long way in seeing them through life. We have an active Parents Forum that constantly liaises with the management and Faculty heads on matters that affect your ward. You should get involved.
It is prodigious that half the semester was spent online, i.e. Envivo, Zoom University, Whatsapp, Telegram, Google Meets etc. We have embraced technology and innovation; our management meeting holds online, exam holds online with a particular reference to the MBA exams, we have held about 13 virtual public lectures so far, our faculties have conducted PhD post-field online which is an attestation to our capacity to redefine the future of Education.
Times Higher Education ranked LASU as the second best tertiary institution in Nigeria and globally within the global 501-601 bracket. The onus is on you to raise the bar of achievements.
The strength of our institution lies in our ability to dare the odds and invest in endeavours that seem likely.
We are LASU, We are PROUD.
Professor Olanrewaju A. Fagbohun, SAN NPOM Vice-Chancellor ‘
