It was celebration galore as Trinity University formally matriculated 183 students into the university on Friday.The university marked the third matriculation ceremony in a grand style as the event had in attendance the School Pro Chancellor and chairman of council, Pastor Samuel O. Olatunji, Vice Chancellor; Professor Charles Korede Ayo, the guest speaker; Professor Simon A. Sodiya, members of the council, invited guests, school management, members of staff, students and parents.The Pro Chancellor, Pastor Samuel Olatunji in his speech acknowledges God for the steady progress of the institution since it’s inception despite the challenges faced and also commended the school management, members of staff, parents, students and council itself for their efforts so far.
“Our young university is growing steadily in the pursuit of her mandate. This is in spite of the considerable challenges besetting the institution, especially COVID-19, which struck less than a year from our commencement, coupled with the habitually hostile operating environment, which has also worsened. The progress, so far, is a good signal that we mean business and we are fortunate enough to have a team that can deliver the goods. It has been a remarkable outing in a short time and which has begun to earn our young university a measure of respect,” he said.
The guest speaker, Professor Simon A. Sodiya, President Nigeria Computer Society, delivering the matriculation lecture on the topic “Digital Inclusion and the future of the Nigeria’s university system: A Post COVID-19 Review,” described ICT to have become the enabler, pivot, vehicle, facilitator.
He harped on digital technology as one of the things that could make the institution great and transformed as we are in the era of digital technology.Technology, according to him, has become an integral part of our lives.
The need for digital skills has never been greater as we work, socialise, and access core services through our electronic devices. At the start of lockdown there was an immediate need to get the most essential services running effectively”. He said.
Speaking on the future of education he stressed the need for more adoption of blended learning, Complete smart classrooms, Virtual Universities – Virtual degrees (Indian, Pakistan, etc), Collaborative degree programmes, Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality and Voice Platforms, Video Learning, Assistive Technology, Artificial Intelligence in Education – Duolingo, Chatbots, Adaptive learning, Responsive Learning.
Sodiya further urges the students and academics to adequately prepare for the technology-based transformation as there will be total restructuring of the educational system using technology in the future.
The Vice Chancellor; Professor Charles Ayo, in his address speech further encourages the students to be obedient and to go extra miles to become a star in their various field as there is no star without a scar.
“Remember, also, that there is no star without a scar. The star of every scar is discipline and sacrifice. You must be obedient and go to extra miles to become a star in your field. Let’s look at the example of Joseph, having endured all temptations, he eventually attained his enviable and glorious destiny through the instrumentality of divine wisdom.”