The e-library of the University of Ilorin is to undergo overhauling to meet up with modern standard and academic requirements for effective academic pursuit. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali (OON), disclosed this penultimate Wednesday (February 10, 2016) when he received the brief report of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria’s (COREN) Accreditation Team in his office.

Prof. Ambali, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (RTI), Prof. G. Olatunji, told the accreditation team that the University's emphasis is on the e-library, explaining that it is no longer practicable to stockpile the conventional library with books when they could be easily accessed via the electronic platform.

The Vice-Chancellor assured the team that the e-library would be upgraded and updated soon to give the students access to latest books and journals. He explained further that at the University of Ilorin, Senate meetings are conducted paperless, thereby saving cost and improving efficiency. Thanking the accreditation team for helping the University to ensure that the practical aspect of engineering is put in place, the Vice-Chancellor said, "Thank you for identifying areas where we are doing well and areas that need improvement. We are number one with room for improvement because we were recently adjudged to have the best Engineering Faculty in the country".

Prof. Ambali noted that the University employed qualified personnel to ensure that there would be quality hands when the present crop of experts leave the scene, stressing, however, that the dwindling national income is affecting the recruitment of qualified lecturers.

He seized the occasion to thank the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for its massive support for the University, particularly in the field of Engineering, assuring the COREN team that all the engineering equipment would be installed and put to proper use. The Vice-Chancellor praised the Technologists in the University, describing them as "precious human resources in the University that are critical to the Faculty of Engineering". He added that the management does not hesitate to approve staff development for the Technologists.

Earlier, while presenting a summary report of the accreditation visit, the COREN accreditation team leader, Engr. B. M. Adisa, stated that the environment of the new Departments of Computer Engineering, Food and Bioprocess Engineering and Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, is conducive for learning. Engr. Adisa commended the cordial relationship between lecturers and students at the University of Ilorin, saying that the University has achieved greatly in accessing intervention fund that has been judiciously spent.

He also commended the Faculty of Engineering for its desire to meet international standards and expanding engineering knowledge in different engineering fields in the University. Engr. Adisa, who tasked the University to ensure that its library is updated, also called for the prompt installation of the engineering equipment supplied to the University.

Urging the University management to extend its capacity building efforts to the technical staff, the Accreditation Team leader suggested that the funds allocated to the Departments should be increased. Other members of the COREN accreditation team were, Engr. Bala Abdulkadir, Engr. Prof. I. I. Eneh, Engr. Prof. J. O. Akinyemi, Engr. Prof. S. O. Jekayinfa, Mrs. D. S. Asa, Mr. Abdullahi M. Jega and Mr. Mohammed A. Hadizat.

The Vice-Chancellor was joined by the Deputy Registrar (Council), Mrs M. A. A. Oladosu; the University Librarian, Dr. Joseph Omoniyi; the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. A. Omotesho; the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Y. A. Jimoh; and the Principal Assistant Registrar in the Vice-Chancellor's Office, Mr. A. Sayuti.