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Dayo Johnson, Akure

Prof. Toyin Falola of the University of Texas has charged Nigerian universities to explore alternative degree formats by including skills into vocationally oriented degree courses.

Falola gave the charge while delivering the 7th convocation lecture at the Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU), Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State.

The lecture was entitled, ‘Nigerian Universities and Youth Empowerment’.

“In many advanced countries in the world, skills like photography, fashion designing, shoemaking, graphic design and printing, among others, are already being taught as vocationally oriented degree courses”, he said.

The university don, who is also the Jacob Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities, said, “Moreover, it is high time some of these skills are designed into degree courses. This is one viable way of exploring alternative degree formats. It is therefore a good idea if this is replicated in Nigerian universities.

“Graduates cannot only become gainfully self-employed through these skills, they can also become employers of labour.

“An updated and strategically laid out curricular, proper and appropriate choice of faculty members, positive, result-orientated drilling(mentoring), adoption of digital technology into teaching and research and introduction of entrepreneurial skills/vocational courses that were derived from a long analysis and reflections are measures for preparing graduates for the workplace”.

In his remarks, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, appreciated Falola, saying the task of involving universities in delivering the right knowledge that will emplace and empowerment is the collective responsibility of the nation’s universities.

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