The governing council of the University of Ibadan on Wednesday announced Prof Idowu Olayinka, 57, as the new Vice Chancellor of the institution.
Olayinka is taking over from Prof. Isaac Adewole, whose tenure ends on November 30.
The professor of geology is the first VC of the school to emerge from the Faculty of Science since the school was established in 1948.
While making the announcement at the school’s Senate Chamber, Pro Chancellor of the university, Dr. Umar Mustapha, said the choice of Olayinka was unanimous after three candidates were recommended by the selection committee from the six candidates that were shortlisted for the position.
Until his current appointment, Prof. Olayinka was the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) academic.
Born 16 February, 1958, Prof. Olayinka, a renowned scholar attended the prestigious University of Ibadan in 1977 and completed his B.Sc (Geology) with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in 1981, becoming the best graduating student in his class.
He proceeded to the United Kingdom in September, 1983 for his postgraduate studies and read Geophysics at the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, obtaining an MSc of the University of London and the Diploma of Imperial College, in July, 1984.
Between 1985 and 1987, he was at the Research School of Geological Sciences, the University of Birmingham, for a doctoral research in Applied Geophysics.
He subsequently had post-doctoral training in Germany, first at the Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology, Technical University, Braunschweig (1996) and second, at the Department of Applied Geophysics, Technical University, Berlin (1997-1999).
He joined the academic staff of the University of Ibadan in April 1988, as Lecturer Grade II and rose through the ranks, being promoted Lecturer I in 1991, Senior Lecturer in 1994, and Professor of Applied Geophysics in 1999.
He has supervised five PhD theses, 76 MSc dissertations, authored and co-authored 43 articles in refereed scholarly journals.
Prof. Olayinka has written one book and co-authored 11 chapters in books on aspects of research methodology. He has attended seminars, workshops and other scientific meetings in many parts of the world and has presented 97 Conference/Workshop papers.
At the University of Ibadan, Prof Olayinka has served in many positions including Departmental Postgraduate Coordinator (1989-1997); Sub-Dean (Postgraduate), Faculty of Science (1995 – 1997); Sub-Dean, Postgraduate School (1999 – 2001); Member, Faculty of Science Appointments and Promotions Panel since 1999; Member, University Senate (1994 – 1997; 2000 till date); Dean of the Postgraduate School, 2002 -2006; Head, Department of Geology 2001 – 2002; 2006-2010; Member, representing Senate on the University Governing Council, 2007-date. He was appointed Chairman, Senate Curriculum Committee in February, 2007. He is also a member of many important ad-hoc and standing committees of Senate and Council.
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