ln a deliberate move to actualize the current University Administration under the leadership of the 9th substantive Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji – Bello of becoming the best University in West Africa, the Supervisory Ranking Committee of the University organized a sensitization programme for members of staff (Teaching and Non-Teaching) of Faculty of Social Sciences and Management Sciences.
The sensitization programme which took place in the Faculties of Social and Management Sciences respectively was held on within the week at the Campus, Ojo, Lagos.
The Chairman of the Supervisory Ranking Committee and Dean, of Postgraduate School, Prof. Joseph Olagunju in his presentation stated that rankings of Universities, Institutes, Colleges and other Institutions of higher education are usually based on combinations of various quantifiable factors that give a comprehensive overview of the strengths of such Institutions.
Prof. Olagunju mentioned Five (5) most commonly used and recognized rankings systems as; Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, Webometrics Rankings, Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) and Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. He further stated some of the importance of University ranking including; rankings are useful for aiding decision-making in terms of funding and budgeting research activities, rankings serve as a catalyst to attract the best brains and talents in higher education, it also provides opportunities for both local and international academic and research partnerships, it increases the desire for comparative information and impactful activities, and projects of Universities globally, and ranking exercises put performance evaluation on the map for many institutions and inspire them to pursue performance evaluation that would lead to the inevitable performance enhancement.
The Dean Postgraduate School also mentioned some of the expected roles as stakeholders of Lagos State University to include; comprehensive and timely submission of data upon request from DRMI, Web presence of all academic staff profiles on platforms like ResearchGate, GoogleScholar, ORCID, Web of Science, AD Scientific Index, Publon, Mendeley’s, online upload of students’ projects, thesis/dissertation, alumni engagement, need to encourage and improve upon the international students/staff exchange outlook.
The University Librarian and Member of the Supervisory Ranking Committee, Dr. Emmanuel Layi Adebayo, addressing members of staff, averred that the issue of ranking is attitudinal and doesn’t cost much for a University to have a good ranking.
Dr. Adebayo admonished members of staff to make their presence felt on the University Website for the World, to enhance the visibility of their work, to be up and doing and make effective use of the e-library in their research making.
All members of staff (Teaching and Non-Teaching) of the two Faculties were fully present and made meaningful contributions.
The Secretary of the Supervisory Ranking Committee, Principal Assistant Registrar, Legal Unit, Mr. Adewunmi Olori, gave the vote of thanks.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics and Out-going Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Olufunsho A. Omobitan, Director, Centre for General and Nigeria Studies, Prof. Simiat Elias and the Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Raheem O. Akewusola also attended the sensitization programme.
