LEADERSHIP IS A SACRED OBLIGATION
– FUWAPE
The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure,FUTA Professor Joseph Fuwape has described leadership in the education sector as a scared obligation which must be protected and guarded. He stated this at a One Day Retreat for Deans, academic Directors, sub-Deans, Heads of Departments and Chairman of some Committees. The retreat with the theme: “Quality of Leaders in the 21st century. Higher Education: Role of Academics University Administration was held at the Ondo State Public Service Training Institute, Ilara-Mokin, on Monday September 30, 2019.
Professor Fuwape said leaders must operate under an atmosphere of harmony, peace and determination to work for the greater goal of the system while trying new approaches in overcoming challenges with a new mindset to produce better results. He called for the nurturing of a culture that motivates greatness though leadership by example, commitment, motivation of subordinates and most importantly integrity. He pointed out that the University system is bedeviled by numerous intractable problems therefore leaders in the academic community require conceptual skills, human relational skills and technical skills to enable them successfully influence other members of the community positively.
On his part, the Registrar, Mr. Richard Arifalo speaking on the topic: “Academic Leadership and Academic Quality Assurance: Administrative roles for effective service” said Academic leadership is central to the educational purpose of higher education providers. According to him, it is a subset of the overall institutional or corporate leadership of the provider, differentiated mainly by its focus on academic matters in particular. He called on leaders to run an inclusive administration as every staff is important to the achievement of the department’s goals and vision. Arifalo said the best leaders take responsibility, are intensely action oriented and make progress instead of making excuses. He said the acceptance of leadership is a great responsibility as the virtuous of wisdom and fact is needed to lead people.
The Registrar outlined the roles of leaders to include: leadership and management, responsibility for teaching and students, responsibility for research, knowledge transfer, people management, financial management, Quality Assurance and Development of Academic Research standing.
Former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development, Professor Tolulope Akinbogun speaking on the topic “Upholding institutional excellence: monitoring and leadership concepts and perception in the University system” said leadership is an important function of Management which helps to maximize efficiency and to achieve institutional goals. He said leaders guide the subordinates the way they have to perform their work effectively and efficiently as they are wise enough to understand that the overall success of their organizations depend on all the stakeholders.
In his presentation, the Director Quality Assurance, Professor Benjamin Adewuyi said the Quality Assurance Framework is comprehensive and encompassing, focused on enhancing quality service delivery, internal efficiency, administrative and academic excellence and above all sustainable quality education.
