TRANSFORMING VISION TO REALITY: THE MEMOIRE OF A VICE CHANCELLOR

The Memoirs of a Vice ChancellorTransforming Vision to Reality details my experiences and the lessons learnt as Vice-Chancellor. It starts in chapter one with my joining the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun in Delta State. It chronicles, the establishment of the University, the advert to which I responded and my eventual appointment in 2008 as one of the pioneer staff of the University. As part of my settling down in the University, I took time to familiarize myself with the philosophy, Vision, Mission, Core Values, Motto, and Logo of the University. With this background, the book then moves in chapter two to discuss understanding university administrative structure and illustrating the different strata and responsibilities. It further discusses perspectives of the diverse roles and responsibilities of contemporary university management with the aim of providing guidance to aspiring leaders and selectors or appointers alike. Chapter three presents the university leadership experience I have garnered through the occupation of leadership positions such as, Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), FUPRE branch, acting Dean of Students’ Affairs, acting Director, Students Industrial Working Experience Scheme (SIWES)., Deputy Vice – Chancellor (Academics), and acting Vice Chancellor, over the years.Chapter four discusses the hurdles that I surmounted on the path to the Vice-Chancellorship. The chapter also presents the processes that lead to the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in Nigeria universities. Chapter five is titled “Setting the Stage”. It discusses plans and strategies I have developed to achieve the set agenda for my administration. Chapters six, seven and eight cover the major achievements of my tenure especially physical development, academic excellence, etc. Chapters nine and ten cover my experiences as I interacted with internal and external organs of the University. The typical challenges, hurdles, barriers, and crises that beset my administration are captured in chapt