By Aderemi Bamgbose
Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, the Vice Chancellor, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa has appealed Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) for the building of School of Maritime Transport and Logistics for the institution.
Ologunorisa who suggested that the school be sited in Ilaje, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state due to its closeness to the ocean, said the instition would facilitate and boost the economy of the state.
He made the appeal on Thursday at a town hall meeting in Igbokoda involving stakeholders, technocrats, political bigwigs, traditional rulers, religion leaders and opinion leaders organised by OSOPADEC
Ologunorisa, who said that the proposed school which would be an arm of OAUSTECH of great benefit to the people of the area and of big advantage to the teeming population of youth in the area and the country at large.
“The Maritime school of Transportation and Logistics if established in Igbokoda due to the closeness to the ocean will be of competitive advantage to the OAUSTECH.
“Courses to be introduced at the Ilaje campus will be in partnership with Carrebean Maritime University in Kingston, Jamaica with students spending three years in Nigeria and one year in Jamaica to complete their studies based on a memorandum of understanding with the foreign institution.
“The ourses to be taught at the institution would include Port Management (B.SC), Shipping, (B.Sc), Nautical Science (B SC) and Maritime Transport (B.Sc)
“All these will help boost the economy of Ondo South and the state at large, we are therefore appealing to OSOPADEC to help in this area for more teeming youths to benefit immensely from the proposal,” he said.
Ologunorisa also noted that OAUSTECH would run short term programmes that would lead to the award of certificates and diplomas in ICT, management and other related courses.
He said gave assurance that he would introduce new courses to develop the blue economy of the coastal region in which the institution was located.
The United States scholar also promised to collaborate with various stakeholders in the catchment area of institution to ensure that a large number of young people have access to relevant quality education.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ologunorisa assume as the helmsman of OAUSTECH on Feb. 23 after the lapse of the five-year tenure of the former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Ogunduyile. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)