STDC Resurfaces After 20 Years, Aims To Boost University Ranking

By Taiwo Olajumoke Gloria, Nweke Mercy Ifeoluwa, Fashida Oluwaseyi Elizabeth, Oluwole Adejoke and Morayo Koku

After 20 years of dormancy, the Staff Training and Development Centre (STDC) at the University Of Lagos has reopened and plans to work towards boosting the ranking of the university.

In an interview with Unilag Sun, the newly appointed Director of the STDC, Mrs Aderonke Asiwaju, explained that the centre was closed due to many factors and events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the academic strike.

Notwithstanding these inhibitors and financial constraints, the university successfully acquired 600 training course licences used by students and staff last year, with plans to acquire more in the future.

“The university also has acquired Coursera licences, 600 of them which were used by students and staff last year. I’m aware those licences acquired will expire on the 22nd of January but another set is being worked on, so the training is being worked on because if you don’t train them you can’t blame them,” she said.

The Director emphasised the importance of personal development, revealing that the University, to the best of its ability, is responsive to activities concerning the knowledge enhancement, mentorships programs and training of its staff.

Optimistic about the future of the university, Asiwaju applauded its support for the development and training programs for staff and disclosed that these programs will hold throughout the year, aiding the universities increase its ranking by developing staff. In addition, she divulged that a step of action to be taken soon is to adopt a customer centric approach in the universities’ manner of delivering services.

She said, “Our services will be customer-oriented and our students, parents, community and everyone in contact with the University of Lagos will feel the difference which is the output of our training,”