USF in September
An end of a beginning
Scholarly greetings,
The University Scholars' Forum wishes you a Happy Independence Day, as compatriots and transformational leaders, and we welcome you to the month of October.
November 12, 2023, ushered in U.S.F. 3.0, with Ajibike Abdulbasit Abiodun as its Convener. And, under his leadership, the University Scholars' Forum Newsletter came to life, with yours truly, Zariat Yetunde Ayoade, fanning its embers.
The University Scholars' Forum's monthly newsletter is a medium to bring the entire USF community of scholars, alumni and staff advisers up to speed on its activities and milestones.
Thus, it is with a great sense of duty I recall that you have heard from me six times already and, today, with emotions I cannot find words for, I am sending you the very last dispatch of the University Scholars' Forum 3.0 newsletter.
Fellow Scholars, September has been a long month and also an end to all our activities for U.S.F. 3.0. This is also to wish all our undergraduate scholars the very best in their forthcoming examinations.
Here, I would be doing a recap of our activities in September, including the third annual University Scholars’ Colloquium (U.S.C. 3.0). In case you missed out on any of our activities, this is an opportunity to bring you up-to-date. Have a nice read!
In September, the forum held two knowledge-filled webinars, continuing “The EmPOWERED Project,” the first of which was Webinar 3.9, “Skills Bridging: Adapting Your Academic Expertise to Thrive in Industry Roles,” facilitated by a senior business technology consultant, Engr. Haruna Muhammad.
Engr. Haruna Muhammad leads Production Accounting in his organisation as a Business Technology Consultant and also serves as the Lead Content Creator for the Petroleum Technical Section for the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He is committed to advancing his professional skills and has been selected as one of the top 1% of young professionals for the SAP YPP West Africa2 program. He is a certified SAP Application Consultant with expertise in SAP Business Integration.
During his session, he exposed scholars to what they need to know before moving into industries such as problem-solving skills, communication, teamwork, and leadership, so they could align their academic expertise with specific industry demands. He implores them to tailor their academic projects to solve real-world industry problems and garner experience that can make them stand out in the labour market.
Engr. Haruna encouraged scholars to examine themselves to know what they want and what is next after their undergraduate degree. He also pointed out some of the requirements needed to thrive in industry roles, which include developing technical and soft skills, understanding industry needs, adapting to industry culture, gaining practical experience, lifelong learning and upskilling, and knowledge to solve industry problems.
The webinar has therefore equipped scholars with everything they needed to know about how to thrive in industrial roles.
Did you miss out on this compelling session? Worry no more, as the attached link takes you directly to the session recording on the forum’s YouTube channel:
Moving on, the forum organised webinar 3.10 titled “Securing the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship: Winning Tips and Strategies,” marking the end of our virtual EmPOWERED project sessions. This session was facilitated by Scholar Emmanuel O. Adedapo, a 2023 MasterCard Foundation Scholar at the University of Edinburgh.
Emmanuel O. Adedapo Adedapo is a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the University of Edinburgh, UK, and the founder of the Leadership Entrepreneurship and Academic Development (LEAD) initiative. His journey exemplifies a deep commitment to personal and communal growth, focussing on empowering individuals through entrepreneurship, innovation, and employability skills.
The webinar helped open the minds of scholars to how to prepare for Mastercard Foundation Scholarships, the necessary documents, and the process of acing the scholarship.
Scholar Emmanuel was once a Danfodite like our undergraduate scholars, giving him access to share his personal journey and struggle towards securing the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship. He encouraged our scholars to get their transcripts as soon as they could, and they should also have a good relationship with their lecturers, as these are the people that would write their recommendation letters. In his words, “Your relationship with your lecturers doesn’t end after you finish; they would be helpful in your scholarship journey.”
The webinar paved the way for learning exclusively about Mastercard Foundation Scholarships from a recipient who was also an alumnus of UDUS. I am sure you didn't miss this, but if you did, here is an opportunity to catch up:
The forum held the University Scholars’ Colloquium and recorded over 180 participants, including non-members. This is a testament to the impact of the University Scholars’ Forum on campus.
The colloquium, themed “Transforming Scholarships to Leadership: Building the Nigeria We Want” witnessed five keynote speakers who connected the dots between academic excellence, scholarship, leadership, and national development.
Dr. Muhammad Bashir Bello took participants through the sub-theme, "Turning Ideas into Grants: A Strategic Guide to Secure Research Funding." Likewise, A.M. Kabir, PhD, discussed the sub-theme, "Bridging the Funding Gap: Laying Foundation for National Development." Barr. Hafsat Sahabi-Dange shed light on “Innovative Leadership: Harnessing Scholars' Creativity and Entrepreneur Skills." Another keynote speaker, Nafiu Garba Hayatu, PhD, addressed the sub-theme, "Academic Excellence as a Tool for Nation Building: My Pact."
The colloquium also featured a keynote speech in honour of our late patron titled "Service to Humanity: The Excellence of Late Yusuf Saidu, PhD (Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry)” and delivered by Prof. Tanko Baba, and a posthumous award was presented to the deceased family for his support towards academic excellence. You may find below a picture taken during the award presentation.
The colloquium also featured two webinar sessions on 'Application Secrets and Strategies: Winning USA Graduate Scholarships' by Dr. Olawale Alimi and 'How to Win ERASMUS MUNDUS Scholarship' by Kudirat Lawal, USF at a Glance by the Co-convener, Scholar Qamarudeen Faidat and poetry presentations by Poetry Club, UDUS. The incoming executive members of the forum were also inaugurated.
Dear scholars, it is an honour to introduce to you the leaders and executives board members who will champion the affairs of the University Scholars’ Forum for the 2024/2025 academic session — U.S.F. 4.0.
Starting from the convener, Scholar Fatima Mohammad Abubakar, 300 level, Electrical and Electronics Engineering. The co-convener, Taoheed Abdulganiyu, 300-level Medicine & Surgery. The General Secretary, Grace-Miracle Iweze, 300 level, Pure and Environmental Chemistry. The Organising Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Madawaki, 400 level, General Agriculture. The Publicity Secretary, Mashood Muhammad Jawwad, 400 level, Civil Engineering. The Social Media Officer 1, Fatima Mustapha Niyass, 400 level, General Agriculture. Social Media Officer 2, Abubakar Sadiq Muhammad, 200 level, Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
A warm congratulations to all appointed scholars, and also an admonition to them to leave U.S.F. better than they found it. Rooting for everyone of you and wishing you all a hitch-free administration.
Again, U.S.F. 3.0 has come to an end, and we appreciate all scholars, alumni, staff advisers, past executive members, and everyone who made our administration a success. We have come to serve U.S.F., and now our time is up. We leave you with the new administration and urge you to extend the love and support we received during our administration to them, till we all win!
Yours in Scholasticism,
Zariat Yetunde Ayoade,
Outgoing Social Media Officer II,
For: University Scholars’ Forum.