By: IndyPress News Desk
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, has stated that “the Registry at Ibadan is the best that can be found anywhere in Nigeria because it has produced iconic figures as Registrars that are world-class administrators and human resource managers per excellence.”
Professor Adebowale made this remark at the opening of a 3-day retreat for senior officers of the UI Registry which began on Monday, December 2, 2024.
He noted that the iconic figures were not just good as individual administrators, but they dedicated their working lives to training and mentoring the younger generations who are already proving their worth all over the country.
The Vice-chancellor said the strength and dynamism of the Ibadan Registry are demonstrated in the fact that UI is not just a producer of administrators, but an exporter of Registrars, Deputy Registrars, and Principal Assistant Registrars to other institutions across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
Professor Adebowale, therefore, enjoined participants at the retreat to continue to learn, saying that an administrator that stops learning is “an accident waiting to happen”.
He urged the senior officers to leverage Artificial Intelligence in streamlining administrative processes, driving institutional innovation, enhancing the students’ experience, automating repetitive tasks, optimising resource allocation, and enhancing decision-making.
Professor Adebowale noted that the world is today standing on the precipice of a digital revolution that is completely changing the face of administration adding that the change is so intense and sweeping that those who fail to change will become victims of change.
He said the University is already leveraging AI in processing students’ results and transcript processing, registration of students, staff, and students medical records as well as in the operations of the Post Graduate College.
The Registrar, Mr Ganiyu O. Saliu, said the retreat was a valuable opportunity for the senior officers to step away from their daily responsibilities, reflect on shared goals and collaboration strategies that will further shape the future of the Registry in particular and the University of Ibadan in general.
He noted that in this rapidly changing world, the Registry faces evolving challenges in talent retention and skills acquisition, employee engagement, advancement in technology, rapidly changing government policies, and adapting to new workplace dynamics.
Mr. Saliu said the senior officers of the Registry play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of the institution, fostering excellence, and shaping the experiences of both students and staff.
He said the retreat was, therefore, a chance to recharge, exchange ideas, and equip themselves with strategies that will enhance their efficiency, leadership, and vision for the future of the University.
The 3-day retreat afforded Senior Deputy Registrars and Deputy Registrars to delve into key topics that address the complexities of higher education administration in a rapidly changing world while fostering personal and professional growth.
The theme of the retreat held at the Conference Hotel and Suites, Ijebu-Ode, was “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Administration of Higher Education.”
Papers presented were: Inclusive Leadership in Practice: Promoting Teamwork Engagement” by Mrs Grace Alexander, Chief Executive Officer of Fortitudo Coaching, UK; Demystifying AI in Higher Education: Unlocking Data-Driven Decision Making by Mr Ola Olarinde, Chief Operation Officer of Talents Inc; Cyborgs or Sapiens: The Future of the University Registry by Chief Mojisola Ladipo, mni, FNIM, D.Litt (Honoris Causa).
The retreat also afforded participants the opportunity to hold discussion sessions entitled “Sharpening Our Administrative Tools to Make Them Better: Staff Information Handbook/Scheme of Service.”
Participants included the Registrar, four Senior Deputy Registrars, nineteen Deputy Registrars, and a team of five professional and technical support personnel.
Credit: UI Directorate of Public Communication
