The Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Prof. Oyedunni Arulogun, has urged universities to prioritise innovation and practical skills as well as problem-solving in preparing graduates for a rapidly changing world.

She said higher institutions should measure their success not by the number of degrees awarded but by graduates’ ability to apply their knowledge to real-life challenges.

Arulogun spoke at the university’s eighth convocation ceremony, themed “Next Gen Minds, Next Level Impact”, where she stressed the need to equip students with the competence, creativity and character required to thrive amid advances in artificial intelligence, digital technology, climate change and economic uncertainty.

“The question facing universities today is no longer how many graduates are we producing? The more important question is what can our graduates do with what they know?” she said.

She added that degrees could open doors, but competence, integrity and the ability to create value would ultimately determine graduates’ success.

The vice-chancellor disclosed that the university graduated 324 students, including 53 first-class degree holders. Of the total, 281 completed regular academic programmes while 43 graduated through the Centre for Distance Learning and Executive Programmes.

She said the institution had incorporated entrepreneurship and vocational training into its curriculum to encourage students to become job creators rather than depend solely on paid employment.

According to her, students acquire marketable skills in areas such as fashion design and photo editing, depending on their interests, while professional programmes provide practical training to prepare them for careers in their respective fields.

She stated that the university also used internships, industry engagement and field visits to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice.
” Law students, for instance, visit courts to observe proceedings, while community outreach programmes enable students to apply their knowledge beyond the campus.”

“Our students have what it takes to create opportunities and not just begin to look for them.”

Arulogun identified research, innovation, digital literacy, infrastructure and character development as priorities for the institution, stressing that research should produce tangible benefits for society.

She added that universities should pursue research capable of informing public policy, supporting industries and improving healthcare and community welfare.

On artificial intelligence, she said institutions must prepare students to use emerging technologies productively and responsibly, while understanding their ethical implications.

“Our responsibility is therefore to ensure that students understand emerging technologies, know how to use them productively and, equally importantly, understand their ethical implications.”

She warned that technological advancement must not undermine human judgment and responsibility, adding that academic excellence must go hand in hand with sound moral values.

“Knowledge without integrity can become dangerous, while intelligence without character can become destructive”.

The vice-chancellor said the university would continue investing in infrastructure, strengthening industry partnerships and reviewing its academic programmes to meet changing economic and professional demands.

She urged graduates to regard their degrees as a foundation for lifelong learning, innovation and service, rather than an end in themselves.

The convocation lecture, titled “Beyond the Degree: Next Generation Leadership, Innovation and Impact in a Changing World”, was scheduled to be delivered by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako.

Arulogun further said the university remained committed to producing resourceful, ethical and globally competitive graduates capable of solving practical problems and contributing meaningfully to national development.