-By OJEWALE RIDWAN
COMUI, IBADAN -The college of medicine, university of Ibadan, on Wednesday, 15 August 2018, inducted the University’s Pioneer set of (Bachelorhood of) Medical Laboratory Science. The occasion is especially special being the “fruit of renaissance” after its diploma/associate program was scrapped about 2 decades ago at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
The department which took off in 2012 with 9 students inducted twice the number having admitted more in the second year via direct entry and change of department. Out of the 9 pioneer students, only 4 made it into the second year and the supplementary admission thereafter raised the number to 24. 20 students however made it to the final year. Early 2015, the pioneer set crossed over to the university college hospital for the clinical phase of their training and 3 years on, the program ended with the final university examination, project defense and the second professional examination. Despite the various challenges that marred the several months of lectures, seminars and laboratory posting, the “experimental” set as they’re fondly addressed “satisfied the examiners” three months into their 6th year (in the university) and the induction came 5 months after.
The program which held at the college boardroom was attended by the inductees, their invited guests (two per inductee) and members of the university, college and department’s management staff. The choice of the boardroom was reportedly informed by the total number of the expected guest (less than 70) and majorly, the reason that the college auditoriums have been booked long before the induction date was fixed. Movements were restricted and only the college accredited photographers were allowed at the venue. The recordings of the event, the college promised, would be made available at the college building after the event.
The program which started quite behind schedule due to the late arrival of the council rep featured addresses by distinguished personalities as the Deputy vice-Chancellor research, innovation and strategic partnership, the Chief Medical Director of the university college hospital, representative of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Secretary to the college, (Present and immediate past) Dean(s) of the faculty of Basic Medical Sciences and the head of department, Biomedical Laboratory Science, University of Ibadan. The Valedictory speech was delivered by the valedictorian, Jeremiah Olawale while Adewemimo Adefemi and Babaniyi Tosin won the provost Award for Excellent Participation in Community Life in the male and female categories respectively.
A Cocktail had held the previous day (in place of the traditional provost dinner) following the earlier proscription of the dinner by the provost. Other awards as Best students in the professional examinations and True Scientist award are expected to be given at the university’s convocation.
In a related development, the college management may have set plans in motion to henceforth combine the induction ceremonies of the BMLS, Physiotherapy and Nursing. The idea is reportedly borne out of the obvious need to reduce induction cost and cost and logistic demands of singular multiple events at different times.
