Dominican University New VC, Prof Opara, Assumes Office, Pledges To Make DU World-Class

The new Vice Chancellor of Dominican University, Ibadan Professor Jacinta A. Opara on Monday assumed office following the handover of the mantle of leadership by the acting Outgoing Acting Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prof. Dokun Oyeshola.

In her inaugural address, Professor Opara said; “I am humbled by the presence of all of you who have gathered here today. It is a great privilege and honour for me to address you on my emergence as this university’s 2nd Vice-Chancellor and first female Vice-Chancellor. This is clearly by the special grace of God and to Him be all the glory.”

Prof. Opara said; “It is my pleasure to appreciate the Board of Trustees of the University for its Powers conferred by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Universities Act considered the submission of the Joint Governing Council, Senate, Search/Selection Team and approved my appointment as Vice Chancellor of the institution. My administration will ever remain grateful and loyal.

She also extolled the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the University, Chief Anthony Idigbe(SAN) and all the distinguished members of the Board, the distinguished Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Chief Moji Ladipo, mni, and all the members of the Council for the appointment.

Speaking she said; “A successful path through the next five years will definitely require the dedicated and committed efforts of every one of us. Therefore, I will rely heavily on our collective wisdom and actions to make DUI a World-Class University. I shall draw inferences from my local and international academic and professional experiences to promote academic excellence. This event today actually reminds me my days as a foreign student and academics, how I felt out of place culturally, linguistically, and academically. Not only did I feel personally cast adrift, this feeling also pervaded my academic experience. But it was through forming connections with others, that I overcame this sense of otherness. The bonds of friendship which we developed during that time, are still strong, and are still so significant to us. By creating and ensuring a positive and inclusive organizational culture and good working environment, we shall all realize a shared vision. ‘Together we win’”

Furthermore, she said; “Dominican University, Ibadan(DUI) is the first and only university of the Order of Preachers (Dominican Order) in Africa since its 800 years of existence. The university is accredited and recognized by National Universities Commission in 2016. It has been delivering on the promise made by its founders to foster and promote teaching and research in accordance with authentic intellectual tradition, and to serve the local and world community. The university has positively changed the lives of many through its educational provisions, research, and community participatory activities. There has been commitment to its growth and success, and the collective legacy has delivered to this point.

As we begin the next move of the DUI journey, it will be my privilege to help build upon that legacy. Though, it is natural to view change of leadership as diminishing progress. But, we must admit and view change of leadership as natural and inevitable. Let us see change of leadership, as an opportunity rather than a threat.

My Administration’s intention is to exceed the horizon of existing academic programmes, with ability to integrate knowledge, professional skills and intellectual competencies as well as resource management in a co-ordinated program or vision to providing a holistic strategic direction to the Institution by displaying resilience, championing intellectual skills, building critical thinking and constructive reasoning, resourcefulness, responsibility, accountability, transparency and above all integrity and excellence at the University to alleviate dysfunctionalism in intellectual and development management.

To conduct my work according to the dictates of the rules (policies), timing and budget framework. My academic and professional skills as a VC would be to ensure that the nature, scope and contents of my administration, works, conduct and responsibilities should emphasize innovation, communication, change, sustainability, culture, interdisciplinary skills and teamwork.”

According to her, she said, she will build on the vision of the university, which is to provide high quality education in the humanities, management, science and technology, the Dominican University is unflinching in her commitment to form a new generation of leaders at the service of Nigeria and the global community, leaders who will use the multiple competence acquired in this University to work for their own good by serving the common good. Dominican University has a rich history and a strong foundation of academic excellence, community engagement, and holistic education.

Upon this she said As we move forward, my vision for our university is to build on these strengths, to innovate, and to expand our horizons. Specifically, I shall pursue my vision as Vice Chancellor through the following:

•             Commitment to establishing cutting edge programmes

•             Commitment to establishing a sustainable network and cooperation of research groups.

•             Conducting my academic activities and research according to the policies and directives of the Governing Council and Supervising agencies

•             Commitment to streamlining the quality assurance and curricula development

•             Facilitating academic journals, conferences, seminars, workshop and lectures

•             Explore the existing potentials of our University and sister institutions for research on science and technology

•             Recognizing the pertinence of teamwork amongst Management, staff, students and other stakeholders

•             Building networks with international stakeholders and developing a research grant base for external funding and capacity building

•             Ensuring that the programmes of the University are accredited and Council committees serviced

•             Ensuring a positive and inclusive organizational culture and good working environment

•                             Fostering judgment and building talents at the Institution amongst staff and students including fostering strong spiritual growth.

•             Projecting the University as visible and coherent in the public debate and explore potentials for partnership in research and development

•             Initiating debates and discussions as driving force that manages change and academic innovation processes, strategic development and sustainability in the University and beyond

•             Contributing towards the enhancement of promotional tools and publicity mechanisms to promote the programs and core values of scholarship

•             To contribute to Senate/Faculty Board meetings and forums and discuss matters as per the agenda.

•             To perform any other duties as may be assigned to me by the Governing Council, my Chancellor, and other relevant constituted authorities.

She promised to build on the strong foundation that has been laid, and that the institution will strive for excellence in all that it does, hinting that though the challenges ahead are significant, so are the opportunities.