The Governing Council of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has taken a significant step forward in its leadership structure. The council has recently appointed the renowned Professor of Art and Art History, Razaq Olatunde Rom Kalilu, as the new Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Institution for a term of six months.
Profile of the New Acting Vice-Chancellor
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Professor Razaq Olatunde Rom Kalilu is a well-established figure in the world of art and art history. He joined the services of LAUTECH on September 1, 1992 and was pronounced a Professor of Arts and Arts History in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, twenty-four years ago on October 1, 1999. His term as Acting Vice-Chancellor will commence from June 12, 2023.
Kalilu, an alumnus of the prestigious University of Ife and the University of Ibadan, is a polymath and specialist in Form and Material Technology. In addition to his expertise in Painting, Digital, and Electronic Art, Kalilu boasts an extensive career spanning advertising, primary, secondary, college of education, and polytechnic education systems prior to joining LAUTECH.
Groundbreaking Achievements
Kalilu’s contribution to scholarship and art practice is substantial, with many groundbreaking achievements to his name. His pioneering work includes developing Nigeria’s first B.Tech degree programme in Fine and Applied Arts in 1992, and the country’s first curricula for postgraduate diploma and Master and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in studio. He also pioneered the inclusion of Digital Art in tertiary education curriculum in Nigeria and originated Form and Material Technology in Fine Art.
Notably, Professor Kalilu has a record of training Nigeria’s first hearing-impaired Art Historian (2004), producing Nigeria’s first M.Tech degrees in Drawing (2011) and Communication Design (2015), and Nigeria’s first PhDs in Environmental and Industrial Sculpture (2012) and Ceramics and Glass (2015). He even produced the global first PhD in Form and Material Technology in Fine Art (2014), and Nigeria’s first Military Artist with a Ph.D. degree (2017).
Administrative Experience
Far from being an academic alone, Kalilu is also an experienced administrator. He has held various positions, including Vice President of Fine Arts Students Association; Branch and Zonal Chairman of SSATHURAI; Head of Department; Dean of Faculty; Chairman, Committee of Deans; Chairman, Committee of Deans and Provosts; and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of LAUTECH.
In recognition of his accomplishments, Professor Kalilu is one of the few scholars consistently invited to participate in the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education University Rankings for the past seven years.
Accolades and Awards
Professor Rom Kalilu’s achievements have earned him several international awards, including the Gold Medal in the 1978-1979 All-Africa Painting Contest, the National Arts Wizard Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Art History in 1997, and the Outstanding People of the 20th Century Outstanding Achievement Medal in 2000. He is a Fellow of the Society of Nigerian Artists and a member of the International Association of Astronomical Artists.
A Promising Tenure
With this appointment, LAUTECH is poised to leverage Professor Kalilu’s vast experience and achievements to foster growth and continue its tradition of excellence. The university community is enthusiastic about the insights and leadership that the new Acting Vice-Chancellor will bring to the table. His appointment marks a promising new chapter in the story of this esteemed institution.
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