Trends in Inaugural and Public Lecture Presentations at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), 1986-2019

Abstract

This study is designed to determine the trend of inaugural and public lecture presentations at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), from 1986 – 2019. A total of thirty-five hard copies of the inaugural and thirty-three public lectures were retrieved from the University Library for the research. The frequency of presentation, gender of the lecturers, discipline/programme, subject matter and trend of presentation of the lectures were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency tables, percentages, charts and graphs. Findings revealed that only a few lecturers have presented their inaugural lectures compared to the number of Professors in the University. More males had presented lectures, when compared to females. Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture and Management had low presentation. The subjects of the public lecture revolved around and demonstrated the societal challenges and issues at the time of the presentations. Recommendations were made primarily to ensure motivation and policy position on inaugural and public lectures presentation.
 Keywords: Inaugural lectures, Public lectures, Research, Universities

Accessing special collections during the COVID-19 pandemic in university libraries in Nigeria

“…Omeje et al's (2016) study also identifies the sources shown Table 1 as special collections that contain relevant information for research, teaching and learning in the university. Similarly, Anunobi and Onyebinama (2011) confirm that theses and dissertations constituted the special collections that were converted into digital collections by the Association of African Universities. The findings in Table 2 show that special collections were accessible to library patrons during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…A study by Chukwu et al (2018) reveals that the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, started a digitization programme to convert all of its special collections into electronically accessible resources through its institutional repository. Similarly, Anunobi and Onyebinama's (2011) report shows that awareness of the creation of electronic theses and dissertations was developed during the introduction of the Database of African Theses and Dissertations by the Association of African Universities. This effort, as reported by Anunobi and Onyebinama (2011), aimed to provide access to special collections.…”

“…Similarly, Anunobi and Onyebinama's (2011) report shows that awareness of the creation of electronic theses and dissertations was developed during the introduction of the Database of African Theses and Dissertations by the Association of African Universities. This effort, as reported by Anunobi and Onyebinama (2011), aimed to provide access to special collections. Some recent studies have also shown that critical information, including special collections and digital materials, was disseminated through university libraries to library patrons during the COVID-19 pandemic (Duke University Libraries, 2020; Ishtiaq et al, 2020;Omeluzor et al, 2022).…”