Arrangements are in top gear by the University, to hold the Matriculation Ceremony and the Commencement Lecture for the 2015/2016 Academic Session. About 3,800 fresh students would participate in the oath-taking during the Matriculation Ceremony, while the Commencement Lecture is to usher-in a brand new academic session. Both events would hold simultaneously on Wednesday, March 9, 2015 at the FUNAAB Ceremonial Building, beginning at 9 am.
The newly-admitted students are spread across the 10 Colleges of the University namely: College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD), College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM), College of Engineering (COLENG), College of Environmental Resources Management (COLERM), College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC), and College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT). Others are: College of Veterinary Medicine (COLVET), College of Management Sciences (COLMAS), Colleges of Biological Sciences (COLBIOS) and College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS).
The title of the Commencement Lecture is, “Running to Win: Is the Prize Worth the Price?" The lecture would be delivered by Professor Isaac Aiyelaagbe of the University’s Department of Horticulture, College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT). Professor Aiyelaagbe bagged his first, second and third degrees in Horticulture, Crop Science and Agronomy, respectively from the Premier University, University of Ibadan. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology from St. John’s College, Nottingham, United Kingdom. He is a Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany; a Fellow of the Horticultural Society of Nigeria, as well as a Member of Council, International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS).
The Commencement Lecturer had served the University in various capacities. Some of which include: The Head, Department of Horticulture (2006 – 2007 and 2011- 2013) and the Director, Research and Development Centre (2007 – 2009). A renowned scholar, Professor Aiyelaagbe, has excelled in the field of Horticulture as a researcher, teacher and administrator; locally and internationally. He currently serves as a Visiting Professor in Pomology (Fruit Science), Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan; and the Assisting Priest/Youth Chaplain, Anglican Church of the Ascension, Akobo, Ibadan, among others.
It would be recalled that the last edition of the Commencement Lecture, which was third in the series, was delivered by Mrs. Folusho Olaniyan, the Chief Executive, Contact Consulting Nigeria Limited and was titled, "Promoting Youth Entrepreneurship in Nigeria Universities: Students’ Choices, Nigeria’s Legacy". The Vice-Chancellor and President, Association of African Universities (AAU), Professor Olusola Oyewole, is expected to chair both occasions. Meanwhile, matriculating students, their parents and guests are advised to be seated by 8.30 am.
