BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

OSOGBO — OBAFEMI Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, has been rated the first and best university in Nigeria and 14th in Africa by the Webometric Ranking of world universities.

In the last rating, the university was ranked eighth in Nigeria and 79 in Africa.

According to Webometric ranking released on February 6, 2013, OAU was rated above other universities in the country for its intellectual, academic, research and administrative supremacy.

A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, said this latest ranking reflected the success of the current University Administration under Professor Bamitale Omole.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Omole pledged to do all within his administrative power and academic experience to further reposition the institution to meet with the standard expected of a world class University within the context of 21st century intellectual market.

Meantime, staff of the OAU have been advised to set a new road map to pursue research effort more vigorously with a view to continually impacting positively on the socio-economic, political and technological landscapes of the society.

Professor Omole gave the advice at a one-day retreat organized by the Staff Training and Development Unit of the Institution at Iloko-Ijesa, Osun State.

In the keynote address titled: “Moving This Leviathan: New Paradigm, New Strategies: 50 years of OAU and Beyond”, the Vice-Chancellor enjoined the participants not to dwell too much on the past achievements but strive to break new grounds in research and development.

Omole reminded the participants not to forget the best practices, ethics and ethos as well as the institutional core values which made the university “past scientific achievements possible and which had made OAU a centre of Academic Excellence.”

While expressing serious concern over administrative and academic malpractices which have bedeviled the Nigerian University system, the VC added that vices like admission racketeering, examination malpractices, misuse of research grants, misallocation and misappropriation of funds, sexual harassment, financial or material inducement before services are rendered should be discouraged and eradicated in the University.

According to him: “As an Institution, we should, at all times, consider it an aberration to protect and defend our colleagues who are found in indecent behaviours and a variety of corrupt practices. We should not allow the little foxes to spoil the vine.”http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/02/oau-rated-best-varsity-in-nigeria/

fittty: Doesn't still guarantee oau graduates the best jobs.... Na by who u sabi u go take see better job

talktimi: I met a 2:1 economics graduate of OAU while in camp who told me the 25 billion naira recapitalization of banks embarked upon by ex CBN chief Charles Soludo was for the procurement of ATM machines and security doors... Hehehe

bankylan:

There is one OAU Eco graduate in my office too. The guy confirmed that they were not given the best of knowledge. The guy has 2.1 too; I told him he would be lucky to have 2.2 in Unilorin or UI. My judgment is based on what I know about him in respect to his intellect.

For Economics, I will advise anyone to go to Ilorin or UI in Nigeria. And if you have the money, please just travel abroad. The reason being that the curriculum here in all Nigerian schools is outdated and being taught by 'professors and Dr' who are outdated.

His Majesty: I've had uncountable times that OAU has beautiful structures far better than unilag, i'm really curious to see how true this is cos i've never been there; atleast not inside, i've stood in front of the main gate before... Anybody with pictures of the school?

ShalomNigeria: Nigerians are funny. Some people are rejoicing over webometrics ranking without knowing the indicators used for such. A wikipedia check is enough to tell you that it is not a serious ranking based on research but just web utilisation by the institutions. I believe Nairaland, premiumtimes and saharareporters will rank higher than all those universities based on webometrics criteria. Nigerian universities should tell us what their rankings are in QS and The Higher Times rankings. If not, let them keep quiet and stop shouting like the politicians

olayiwola-aims:
Webometrics Ranking of World Universities

The Webometrics Ranking of World Universities , also known as
Ranking Web of World Universities, is ranking system for the world's
universities based on a composite indicator that takes into account
both the volume of the Web contents (number of web pages and
files) and the visibility and impact of these web publications
according to the number of external inlinks (site citations) they
received. The ranking is published by the Cybermetrics Lab , a
research group of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
located in Madrid....


so guyz, this ranking does not indicate if your school is the best academically or its impact on student.....just a mere web content ranking..