Oko-Irese, Kwara State, Nigeria,
October 30, 2023
Thomas Adewumi University received a distinguished team from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for a pivotal accreditation assessment of its Department of Physiotherapy. This evaluation represents a significant milestone in the University's ongoing pursuit of official recognition for its Physiotherapy programme.
The University's management warmly welcomed the NUC accreditation team, consisting of respected professionals and experts in the field of Physiotherapy and education. Their primary objective is to comprehensively evaluate the department's facilities, faculty, curriculum, and overall readiness to deliver a high-quality education in Physiotherapy. This evaluation is a vital step to ensure compliance with required standards and to meet the educational needs of prospective students.
During the opening meeting held at the Senate Chambers last week, Dr. Muyiwa Oduwaye, Director of Academic Planning, extended a warm welcome to the accreditation team for the Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme. He introduced the University's management team, and the NUC accreditation team introduced themselves to the assembly. Following this, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Oladipo delivered her opening remarks, extending a warm welcome on behalf of the University's Governing council, management, staff, and students. Saying “We are one big family and everyone is here as a management and an academic body to support the Department of Physiotherapy and to welcome the team to our community”.
In her address, Prof. Francisca highlighted Thomas Adewumi University's accomplishments in its little over two years of existence, emphasizing its commitment to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She also underscored the University's role as a leading institution in STEM-i education. Furthermore, she expressed the University's eagerness to improve and grow with the accreditation team's guidance. She spoke optimistically about the potential impact of accreditation, emphasizing that it would enhance the University's academic reputation and provide students with high-quality education in Physiotherapy.
In addition, she emphasized that “we are not perfect, and we welcome the accreditation team to accept, guide, embrace, and nurture us. The team should see TAU as a seed that they are here to cultivate, allowing the department to flourish and produce well-trained professionals. Our goal is to nurture this programme to maturity and, in turn, empower more students to excel in their profession.” The Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism about the potential impact of obtaining NUC accreditation for the Department of Physiotherapy, stating, “securing NUC accreditation for our Physiotherapy programme would not only enhance the University's academic reputation but also provide students with an opportunity to pursue a high-quality education in this critical field. It's a significant milestone for our institution.”
The NUC accreditation team lead, Prof. Uduak Okon (Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo) responded by commending the University’s vision. He assured the assembly that the team is committed to doing their utmost to support the department and the University in maintaining the quality of the Physiotherapy programme. He expressed their anticipation of a positive outcome at the end of the assessment.
The evaluation process, which concluded last week, involved a thorough assessment of the department's infrastructure, curriculum, interactions with students and faculty, and alignment with the latest developments in the field of Physiotherapy. If the program successfully gains accreditation, it will open up academic and professional opportunities for students, contributing to the advancement of healthcare education in Nigeria. Thomas Adewumi University remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of academic excellence and looks forward to a positive report from the NUC Accreditation Team.
