The new Head of Department (HOD) of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Prof. Oyeronke Adunni Odunola has sought for peace and harmonious relationship among staff and students of the department and also provided template upon which societal growth and development can be achieved.

In an exclusive interview with CEOAFRICA, Odunola intimated that her major focus is to maintain peace, ensure student and staff welfare and take the department to the international stage through quality research output.

“I hope to continue to maintain peace in the department, to raise the bars higher, to make us the globally more recognized department of Biochemistry, to flag our researchers higher and to equip our early career researchers and some of our mid-career researchers so that they can compete very well.” She stated

“And also thread on the vision of University of Ibadan, meeting societal needs with our research output. I want to ensure student welfare and staff welfare”. she added.

The newly appointed university don, who had earlier been in the acting capacity of the departmental head intimated that quality research can also be used to attract industries, assist government and also provide for the needs of the people.

“We are going to liaise with government and the industries from the very initial stage of proposal writing and we are also going to reach out to the grassroot because it is only when you know their needs that you can research around their needs and that is when your research output becomes relevant.” she stressed

Odunola, while hinting on a multi disciplinary approach towards achieving the departmental vision, advised the students to focus more on their studies and urged them alongside the staff to support her vision towards achieving a departmental goal in line with the vision and mission of the University.