Few days after the National University Commission (NUC) granted approval to the newly established University of Science and Technology, Ifaki-Ekiti (USTI), admission seekers have flooded the institution.

USTI Coordinator, Dr. Olabode Bamidele, who expressed delight over public reaction to the establishment of the university said in a statement made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti that he had received no fewer than 5,000 telephone calls since notice of the admission of the institution was published in some national dailies a few days ago.

The new university, which was approved by the NUC on December 21, 2009 as the 36^th State University and 104^th in the Nigerian University System has been divided into five departments; namely Biological and Chemical Sciences, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, Biotechnology and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

“There is no doubt that USTI is already a success. The number of students that have already obtained the admission application form in less than two weeks of its approval by the NUC is one of the pointers to this. As at today, I have received no fewer than 5,000 telephone calls from admission seekers from all parts of Nigeria,” the coordinator said.

 Bamidele, who reiterated the commitment of the university to the provision of production of graduates that would contributes meaningfully to the attainment of Nigerian’s Vision 2020 and other developmental plans, said; “The USTI is envisioned to be a centre of excellence in the broad fields of science, technology and associated disciplines for meeting the challenges of a technological-changing world.

“The university will produce graduates, who are entrepreneurial, socially and ecologically responsible, analytical, self-confident, disciplined, morally and ethically outstanding, and who are committed to using these skills and values for the development of Ekiti State and for national as well as global human development.”

Dr. Bamidele also disclosed that the university intends to turn science haters to lovers of science, who would make successful careers in science and technology through a special and unique science conversion programme.

“Art and Social Science students with credit in any five subjects in arts and social sciences will have opportunity of being part of any of our programmes after successful completion of a special and unique science conversion programme.

“Therefore, those who did not have opportunity of learning science in secondary school will also have chance of making successful careers in science and technology,” Bamidele said.