FUTA EXPANDS ACADEMIC FRONTIER, ESTABLISHES TWO NEW SCHOOLS

The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has broadened its academic landscape with the establishment of the School of Architecture and the School of Science and Technology Education, marking another step in its drive to strengthen teaching, research and innovation.

University authorities said the development was prompted by recent reforms introduced by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and reflects FUTA’s resolve to remain at the forefront of science, technology and professional education.

Creation of the School of Architecture followed the NUC’s transition from the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) to the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), which expanded Architecture into six specialised programmes—Architecture, Architectural Science and Technology, Furniture Design, Interior Architecture Design, Landscape Architecture and Naval Architecture.

Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Oluwaseyi Awodele, said the new school would enjoy greater academic autonomy, enhance specialised research and promote collaboration across disciplines to address challenges in the built environment.

He added that the development would improve the quality of training and position graduates to compete globally in architecture and allied professions.

FUTA also established the School of Science and Technology Education to provide a dedicated academic base for Educational Technology and Library and Information Science, while creating the framework for the introduction of Industrial and Technology Education.

According to the university, the school aligns with the vision of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, to strengthen science and technical education and help bridge the shortage of qualified STEM and vocational teachers in Nigeria.

The institution added that the initiative would also support the Federal Government’s Technical Teachers Training Programme, a fully funded one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Education designed to equip teachers with practical skills in information technology, agriculture, metalwork and other technical and vocational fields.