Fresh students of the University have resumed for the 2014/2015 Academic Session and commenced the online registration and verification of results at their various Departments and Colleges. The new students, who could hardly contain their excitement for gaining admission into the University, shared their registration experiences, dreams and aspirations for attending the institution of their dream.

Kolawole Mathew, a Direct Entry student from the College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ekiti State, who was admitted into the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC), spoke on his choice of the University saying, “I chose FUNAAB because it is one of the best schools in Nigeria and it is the only place where I can achieve my aim; which is to be one of the best Dietitians in the world since FUNAAB is known to have the resources for producing renowned Dietitians in Nigeria”. On the University environment, the student described it as “simply beautiful”, adding that members of staff that he encountered during his registration process were very warm and supportive. On his plans for the future, Kolawole said he hoped to graduate with a First Class degree as he did during his first programme and hoped to also continue in that line until he becomes a Professor of Dietetics.

Another student, Ifeoluwa Olabiwoninu, who gained admission to study Soil Science and Land Management, College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT), said he had wanted to study Agricultural Engineering, but was still grateful to be amongst the few that gained admission into the University notwithstanding the course. According to him, “I choose FUNAAB because everybody knows that it is one of the best institutions in Nigeria and even in West Africa. It is student-oriented and I also like their vision and mission”. Sharing his registration experience, Ifeoluwa said, “I must confess, it has been very smooth. Within a day, I got my credentials stamped. The only challenge now is our inability to print out the invoice that would be used to pay the prescribed fees and this is because we were unable to open the link. We have complained and we were asked to exercise patience”. Speaking on his impression of the University and members of staff, the fresher said, “they have been very helpful, they’re just like fathers and mothers to us. They are accommodating and friendly to us”.

Corroborating him, another student, Folorunso Olayinka, of the Department of Animal Nutrition in the College Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM), said she was really impressed with the registration process and the attention given to her by the officials in charge. According to her, in just one day, she was almost done with her registration process which she described as “fast and easy”. Speaking on the admission process which brought her into the University, Folorunso said it was free and fair and purely based on merit. “I choose FUNAAB because they have a very stable academic calendar and because it is a good institution where students are thoroughly taught both theory and practicals. The University environment is very beautiful and I am proud to be a FUNAABite”, she added. Sharing her plans for the future, the young undergraduate said she hoped to own a very big poultry farm and change the fortunes of the country in her own little way.

Dada Oluwalonimi, another fresh student, who was admitted into the College of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development (COLAMRUD) to read Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, described the University environment as nice, serene and conducive for academic pursuit, adding that he would use the serenity of the environment to attain academic excellence during his stay. He said he intends to graduate in record time from the university and secure a well-paying job thereafter.

Another student, Bakare Ifeloluwa of the Department of Statistics, College of Physical Science (COLPHYS) had a different view on the registration process. According to her, it was tedious in that a lot of forms had to be printed and carried around for signatures. She said she looked forward to a time when registration would be completely done online, pointing out that through the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training programme being offered by FUNAAB, most students have now become more knowledgeable and computer literate. She disclosed that she planned to become a Professor of Statistics in future.

However, Adedigba Mercy Ejehi, a former pre-degree student at the University’s Institute of Human Resources Development (INHURD), who gained admission to study Banking and Finance, in the College of Management Science (COLMAS), described the registration process as stressful, because she had to trek long distances within the University to get her forms signed. She appealed to the University Management to make available, campus shuttle cabs so that at the end of the day, the registration process would become faster.