OAU VC, Ogunbodede Seeks Aeronautical Engineering Programme for University

By Adejumo Kabir

The Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede  has seek Aeronautical Engineering programme for the institution.

Ogunbodede seek this during a visit  from delegation from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to the school on Monday to fine-tune and deepen the existing Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) on capacity building between the NAF and the University, as well as collaboration with the University in other mutually beneficial areas.

Ogunbodede expressed his satisfaction on the confidence reposed in the University by the NAF, and commended the Force for coming up with the innovative idea to the team led by Air Vice Marshal Kingsley Lar, Chief of Standard and Evaluation, NAF, Headquarters.

The VC while pledging his administration’s commitment to the full implementation to the (MoU) between the University and the NAF, conceded that OAU has done little to fulfil its own part of the MoU, and therefore promised a renewed focus on the agreement.

“When I came on board, I learnt of the MoU. But we have not been able to do much on it. But now, I want to let you know that after this meeting, we will fulfil our part of the agreement and the project will definitely move on. Whatever capacity we need to build to take the project (MoU) forward, we will definitely build and get there,” he said.

Ogunbodede however solicited  support from NAF to start Aeronautical engineering programme in the University, even as he called for collaborations in other areas in the University.

“In OAU we need to have a programme in Aeronautical Engineering and make sure it is the best in Africa. But we will need your support for personnel and staffing. I also believe that there are other several ways that we can partner.”,

In reaction to this,  the Leader of the delegation, Air Vice Marshal Kingsley Lar, in said the MoU was in line with the vision of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar to ‘transform NAF into a self-reliant and highly professional fighting force.

"NAF desires to see things we can get from the academics; to leverage on the pool of capabilities and facilities available in your institution.”

He also charged the University to take the lead among other institutions, in full implementation of the MoUstating that the NAF is committed to research and development through its recent achievements in science and technology.