Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, has tasked universities across the country to uphold sustainable development as pathways to excellence.
Ajibefun gave the advice on Thursday at the second series International Conference held at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) Okitipupa, Ondo State.
The conference, organised by School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, OAUSTECH, was entitled “Strategic Pathways to Sustainable Environment For Teaching, Learning, Research and Community Service In a Growing University”.
The commissioner, a guest lecturer, said universities created knowledge, trained manpower, produced leaders, support innovation and provide solutions to human problems in the 21st century.
Ajibefun, represented by Dr. Adewale Olutumise, a Senior Lecturer, at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), said sustainability was broad and not only in the physical environment like trees, waste disposal, water management, energy conservation and climate change.
According to him, there are academic, environmental, financial or institutional and social sustainability, and any university stronger in one area and weak in others cannot be truly sustainable.
“For example, a university may have good buildings, but poor teachings, it may have brilliant lecturers but weak research findings, it may produce graduates but have little impacts in host communities
“A growing university like OAUSTECH occupies a strategic position, it’s a university of science and technology, located in a region with rich agricultural, environmental, human and economic potential.
“It’s School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, is particularly important because agriculture, food security, natural resources and environmental management are central to the future of Ondo State and Nigeria.
“A sustainable environment for learning, research and community service does not emerge by accident, but was deliberately planned, patiently built and consistently protected.
“For a growing university, sustainability means building today, with tomorrow in mind, it means expanding without losing quality, it means teaching with purpose, researching with relevance, leading with integrity and serving with humility,” the commissioner said.
Also, Dr Tony Aduro, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Aduro Farms, urged governments at all levels to invest in innovation and technologies in agriculture and food production, saying innovation and technologies were inevitable in 21st century agricultural production.
Aduro, also a lecturer at the conference, spoke on “Agricultural Innovation For Sustainable Impacts Amidst Global Emergencies”.
He said the current era was marked with climate change, food insecurity, economic disruptions and global health crisis. which has exposed the fragility of food systems and underscored the urgent need for resilient, innovative and sustainable agricultural solutions.
“Climate is no longer a prediction, it’s happening. Food insecurity is no longer distant, it is personal and global emergencies are no longer rare, they are recurring. But in the midst of all these, agriculture endures, not just an industry but as hope.
“Agriculture must move beyond traditional practices. We should embrace innovation, climate smart technologies, digital agriculture, sustaimable farming systems and knowledge driven solutions, that ensure food security, while protecting our environment.
“Academic conversations, and research commitment as exemplified by conferences like this are critical to driving this transformation.” the CEO said.
Aduro, also Chief Executive Officer of Aduro Foundation, pledged a N100 million scale-up project in OAUSTECH, saying more of it would be enjoyed by the university and it’s host community.
Meanwhile, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, OAUSTECH’s Vice Chancellor, described the lectures as great insights and eye opener to the institution.
Ologunorisa, represented by Prof. Foluso Adetuyi, OAUSTECH’s Vice Chancellor, Academics and Research, commended Aduro for the N100 million pledge for scale-up projects in the institution.
Highlights of the conference was award presentation and the Award of Excellence were given to Ajibefun and Aduro, as scholars, researchers, staffs, students, traditional rulers among others, attended the conference. (NAN)