Academic Culture Includes Accreditation — UI VC

Professor Kayode Adebowale

PROFESSOR Kayode Adebowale, the vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), has acknowledged the regulatory function of professional associations, stating that they are established for close monitoring and assessment in order to prevent abuse, as well as for comparison of standards on a national and international level.

The VC expressed this recognition during the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) team's visit to the school for an accreditation exercise. ARCON and the National Universities Commission (NUC) oversee professional courses like architecture to ensure that students are adequately prepared.

He revealed that professional courses typically undergo two accreditation activities, which he said presented difficulties for the university because they needed duplicate templates and planning.

He stated that he wanted appropriate institutions and organizations that would effect students' practice and adequately prepare them for the workforce.

Professor Adebowale gave the assessors his word that the university will cooperate to the fullest extent possible to fulfill the visit's objectives.

According to him, the activity would undoubtedly help the university maintain its position as the top institution and benefit the Department of Architecture.

The five members of the team, which was headed by Professor Olusiyi Ipingbemi, dean of the UI Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, were Arc. Dayo Odeyemi (FNIA), Arc. Sola Olajuyigbe (FNIA), Arc. Bolaji Rotibi, Professor Babatunde Jaiyeoba, and Professor Oluwole Ajayi.

Arc. Dayo Odeyemi, the chairman of ARCON, responded by pointing out that the purpose of the compliance visit was to evaluate the University of Ibadan's Design Department.

He continued by saying that it is also to assess how closely the department complies with the advice from the advisory accreditation exercise that was completed in October 2021.