By Akinnodi Francis, Ondo
The University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo will on Thursday graduate its first Doctorate Degree candidate under the UNIMED-West African College of Surgeons-West African College of Physicians collaboration.
“This programme which commenced in January 2024 with 51 pioneering fellows, is the first of its kind in West Africa and possibly in Africa,integrating clinical fellowship training with doctoral research. It represents a new direction for academic medicine on the continent.”
Vice-Chancellor of UNIMED, Prof. Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe said this during the 7th convocation ceremony press briefing in Ondo.
Prof. Adejuyigbe said the University graduated a total of 771 students, comprising 598 undergraduates and 173 postgraduates.
“Among our undergraduate graduands, over 78 percent graduated with first class or second class upper honours which speaks strongly to the quality of teaching, learning and academic support in the University.
“At the postgraduate level, we produced 76 Master’s graduates, 32 MPH graduates, 52 postgraduate diploma holders and most importantly 13 PhD graduates. This is particularly significant because at our 6th convocation, we produced only one PhD graduate. This growth reflects the deliberate strengthening of our postgraduate programmes.
“All our academic programmes are now fully accredited, following recent assessments with positive feedback from regulatory bodies. Also, six of our academic staff secured National Research Fund approvals while one of our staff members, Dr. Peter Olamuyiwa was ranked among the top two percent of scientists globally for 2024 and 2025”.
Speaking on infrastructure,the Vice Chancellor said the University is witnessing unprecedented development which include the 500-seater auditoria and skill laboratories for Clinical Sciences and Faculty of Nursing, 1000-seater auditorium, clinical hostels and the Allied Health Sciences building.
“Others are the Olu Akinkugbe Faculty of Pharmacy building now at roofing stage in honour of one of our great benefactors. An NDDC-funded lecture theatre and an ICT centre donated by Chief and Mrs. Steve Akinrotoye.
“We are grateful to the Ondo State government for its continuous support including the commitment to tar a 5-kilometer road network within the main campus and the release of N500 million as the first tranche for the construction of a Senate building.
“Digitally, the school internet capacity has been upgraded from 155 Mbps to 700 Mbps, supported by fiber-optic infrastructure and solar inverter systems. Our CBT Centre and University Health Centre are now fully powered by solar energy, ensuring uninterrupted services”.
She explained that the University postgraduate have introduced new programmes in Healthcare Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Special Needs and Psychological Language and admitted 374 postgraduate students in the current academic session.
She noted that the school also signed an MoU with the Canadian Education Council to strengthen the global engagement, saying “we are in discussion with the Mount Carmel College of Nursing in the United States. These partnerships are focused on employability, capacity building and global competitiveness.
The Don said UNIMED remain deeply committed to community services, supporting STEM education for young learners, sponsoring the UNIMED STEM programme and conducting community health outreaches in Oke-Igbo and Ilutitun.
She called on all relevant stakeholders to support the University through the friends of UNIMED forum, where willing supporters can contribute from N10,000 monthly towards sustaining the growth.
She said that the 7th convocation confirmed that UNIMED has moved beyond its formative years, consolidating, expanding and positioning the University as a leading centre for medical education, research and service in Nigeria and Africa.