Tech-U Builds Capacity of Admin Officers, Drivers

To boost their resourcefulness and competence, The Technical University, Ibadan recently held a two-day capacity building workshop for its administrative officers and drivers. While the administrative officers were taken through the fundamentals of speech, memo, minute and report writing, the drivers went through training sessions that would enhance their service delivery.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayobami Salami reminded the officers that “an institution is as strong as its staff.” He also stressed the need for dedication to duty on the part of the administrators, while describing administrative officers as the fulcrum of the effective machinery that management has envisioned for the university.

“Being the custodians of regulations, they are expected to be familiar with the laws and statutes of the university. You are the ones that people after you will look up to. Effective discharge of your duties and improvement are therefore necessary.”

Salami told the drivers that the workshop was organised because the university knows the essence of their work, adding that the management expects to see a difference in the quality of service delivery after the workshop.

Speaking on the need for the workshop, the Chief Consultant of the Haven Lift Global Consult, Mr. Ayo Ogunruku explained that “once a person is unable to do what he is employed to do, he is not worthy of being there.”

He said the workshop was organised to address the challenges in the work of university administrators. “There is need to ensure that facilitators of the university objectives must be trained.” he said adding that the objectives are “teaching, research and community service.”

Ogunruku emphasised that for a young university like Tech-U, once the right foundation is laid, the generation coming will get it right, but once the foundation is inaccurate, a culture different from the university culture will be created. He added that the participants will be able to demonstrate better communication skills and prevent errors in written expressions in English Language.

In his paper, ‘Minutes, Minuting, Letter/Memo Writing, Speech Writing, Reports – The Administrator’s Trade Mark’, Ogunruku said university administrators engage in planning, organising, directing, staffing, coordinating and budgeting and without these, the system will not run well.

He also warned administrators against struggling to be seen. “You must be anonymous as an administrator. Don’t struggle to be seen. Your work will announce you. Students may remember their lecturers but the university records will remember you.”

Professor Bayo Aborisade also made a presentation on ‘Minutes Writing- Architecture, Aesthetics and Ethics’ as well as sessions on ‘Presentation Skills for Administrative Officers’.

While addressing the drivers, the Head of Training, Oyo State Sector of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mrs. Olu Matanmi went into details of proper maintenance of vehicles, safe driving as well as licensing. She encouraged them to apply for their licenses through the proper channel to avoid touts who are on the prowl defrauding unsuspecting applicants. Matanmi also warned against unacceptable behaviours.