By Dipo Olowookere
The University of Ilorin (Unilorin), Kwara State, now has a new Vice-Chancellor and he is Professor Sulyman Age Abdulkareem.
The university don emerged as the 10th Vice Chancellor of the institution after a rigorous selection process.
His emergence followed the expiration of the present occupier of the position, Professor A.G. Ambali, on October 15, 2017.
The new Vice-Chancellor, according to a statement issued today by the Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Council, Dr Abdullah Jibril Oyekan, will resume office on October 16, 2017.
It was disclosed that the council commenced the process for the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor by announcing the vacancy in two national newspapers, ThisDay and the Herald on Friday, April 14, 2017.
The advertisement was also placed on the university’s website and the University’s Weekly Bulletin.
Interested applicants were given six weeks to submit their applications with a closing date of May 26, 2017.
Immediately thereafter, Council met and constituted the Joint Council/Senate Selection Board as well as the Search Team for the appointment of Vice Chancellor.
The Search Team visited Universities in various geographical zones of the country and contacted senior academic staff in these institutions who might not have applied for the position.
Subsequently, the Selection Board considered all the applications received and shortlisted candidates based on the various parameters indicated in the advertisement.
The Selection Board later interacted with the shortlisted candidates over a period of three days from Wednesday, August 23, to Friday, August 25, 2017.
At the end of the exercise, the Selection Board forwarded its recommendation to Council for further consideration.
At its meeting on Monday, August 28, 2017, Council, in accordance with the University Act and the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003, considered the recommendation of the Selection Board and approved the appointment of Professor Abdulkareem for the job.
Modupe Gbadeyanka