Interview With The H.O.D

 

1. Can we know a little about you Sir

Response: Thank you for having this interview with me this afternoon. I am Dr Adeboye Titus Ayinde. I am an Associate Professor of Psychology who specializes in the area of organizational and industrial psychology. I am also the current acting head of the department and happily married with some children (lol).

 

2. You Just became an Associate prof. Sir, what was Your background in psychology like

Response: To be honest with you, in my post primary education, I did not know much about psychology until when I was seeking admission into the university.

I was initially admitted into banking and finance, Osun state college of Education. After that, I began to sought for admission to read Economics in Obafemi Awolowo University. So I left banking and finance for the prestigious Oba awọn university.

Although I was promised admission into the department (Economics), but the admission process was tough. My second choice was Demography and I still wasn’t accepted there so I came to complain. I was told that it was because I had A3 in Biology, that was why I was given psychology as both the Economics and Demography was full.

Although I had a little knowledge of psychology beforehand, I had not intended to take it as a course but now, here I am in the department of psychology.

As I was still struggling with accepting Myself with studying psychology in part 1, I collected a change of course form. I still wanted to study Economics but the then Acting Head of Department, who is retired now, Prof Funmi Tidunu Bikose Stood her ground as it was not the departments interest to release any Student.

 

I tried all I could but to no avail. Once I realized that, I did something which I want every student to imbibe from. I made up my mind to graduate with nothing less than a second class upper and by the Grace of God, I got my desired score.

Now concerning my experience in OAU, Then, most students wanted to study at the Oba awon University. Although the infrastructure was going down the drain, we were still able to enjoy it.

I could remember then that we used to have late night lecture by Dr Akinyẹle which was nicknamed wireme. He took us SSC 111 from 7pm to 9pm at Ajose and majority were staying in school then. There was also stability of electricity. I must confess we enjoyed a level of peace.

Also in our first year, we went back home for 6 months during the tenure of the then SUG president, Anthony Fasayo.

In the department, we were introduced to some strange courses and we were well taught but some of my course mates still went ahead to look for other courses during our final year. During this period, I enrolled for my MASTERS 2 weeks after my NYSC and in September 2001, I was admitted into M.Sc. Psychology. Thereafter I was still looking for a Job in which I planned to put the post graduate program on hold. I was encouraged to apply for the position of graduate assistant in which I did.

I underwent internship in Limca, isolo. I fully joined the department in March 2003 as a graduate assistant. Since then, we have faced and overcame challenges until recently I was appointed the Associate Professor of the department of psychology.

 

 

3. We are fortunate to have you as the HOD during this post covid 19 sir, what are the lessons you think we can learn from this Sir, from the OAU community to the Educational Sector at large. Because the zeal of students stopped.

Response:  I would start by saying that it was not only students that were stuck during the Corona period. Us lecturers couldn’t continue our normal activities. I took on the mantle of leadership on the first of August 2020. We had about 30 days before I took over. We couldn’t even hold departmental meetings as we were told to take caution. Because of this, we used social media platforms like zoom to try and disseminate information.

For the students, it was not until January this year that they were allowed to come in to campus and we were able to scale through. It was towards the end of the semester we saw the students physically and even realized that the morale of the students was low. In fact, we still have some students who didn’t come back to school. During test periods, the students were allowed to come back to school and we were still able to get things done and because of this, many of the students were reassured and encouraged and the students came for second semester although they resumed late which was understandable.

As a psychologist, we should also look deeper into situations as all over the world, we all went through a stage of depression…even lecturers as at home, I was just sleeping and waking as my normal activities were not being performed, not to talk of students. Coupled with economic pressure, and all sorts of challenges, we were depressed but as Nigerians, we found our way to overcome. And now, a whole lot are in a better shape

 

4. OAU is known for its Excellent alumni scattered round the world, how do you think we can also harness this Alumni Opportunities s

Response: Firstly, as an alumnus of this university, there is pride associated with it. And there are a lot of opportunities associated with it. For example, I belong to a state and National Chapter. Recently with our 60^th anniversary, there was another platform that is being created at the National Level.

At the local level, we created a way to talk, meet and celebrate ourselves, while some people are at the state level in which we also have officers

 

Now concerning OAU alumni of Psychology, we have not been able to establish it in such a way we talk. When the university was celebrating its 48^th anniversary, my set came together to do something and at other level, we did other things for the department like financial assistance. Although we also created the alumni association, we have not been able to follow it in a way we would have preferred.

We were planning that maybe it would be done year to year.

In the floor O, they put the name of notable individuals who have graduated from the University. Like the wife of Obasanjo, Stella Obasanjo. They have all come to the aid of the university one way or the other and they have all registered their name. This is the same with the department. They are many who have come to the aid of the department and we still hope to benefit more as we’re working towards that.

I also noticed that the whole matter is mainly about the relationships being built which I have started pursuing. I want to develop a relationship with each class as they are graduating by getting the details of everyone in the class so I can keep in touch with them. Although some of them still come around asking for transcripts and recommendation letters, we would also want to keep in touch with everyone probably through a WhatsApp group.

This also allows for easier communication and would get things done faster

Concerning what the Association can do, we are thinking of planning a Reunion so we can come together to assist ourselves and most importantly, the department. Although it seems like the executives are already planning something like that that would further cement the relationship

 

 

5. What way do you think The Student Association could be better sir.

Response: Over the years, NAPS have been playing Frontline roles in contributing their quotas in contributing to the development of the department. There was a time, students would want to do something to the department. Like buying books to the department

They can improve on that on how they can group themselves and be useful to the department as they contribute to the department.

Executives could influence their mates in part 4 to maintain their groups. It is encouraging when they try to leave a certain legacy behind like that showcase that was done and is still being used now

 

 

6. We have seen that we don’t have a library. What do you think about that sir

Response: There was a time we practiced that and found a place for our students but it was abused by students. We even created some cubicles which could be used but some of them would break it into the library and even steal some textbooks.

We even found out that some of them would bring their girlfriends to the library. At one point, we asked Dr Ẹkúndayọ̀ to take up an office in the library so that she can monitor it but the abuse continued.

Now with the increase of staff and decrease of space, we can’t provide this although it is our responsibility.

But we have been able to get a place for our experimental lab and we are thinking of getting a room for our counselling room. We are working on that…at least before the end of my tenure but for now, the library is not feasible

 

 

7. What are your expectations from your students at this time sir.

Response: Thank you for that question.

Firstly, we are your foster parents on grounds and we can only wish you success in all your endeavors as it only makes us Happy when we find out that you are doing well and getting to the top. That is my expectation.

Another thing is that our students should look back at their Alma Mata and look back at their department and do whatever they think they can do for their department.

I’ve been encouraging the members of staff to at least develop and nurture relationships with our students because I’ve heard some feedback that some of the lecturers were not nice to they when they were on campus. I want to erase that perception as much as possible. I want the student to be able to see discipline and also love and concern when they see their lecturers. All of these I am working towards and would continue to improve on it. From the lecturers to part and staff advisers and even the HOD level.