A graduate of the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Cynthia Falegan, has been offered admission to pursue her PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Toledo, UT, Ohio, in the United States of America, USA, without a Master’s Degree.
In a statement by ABUAD’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Femi Olofintila stated that in a March 20, 2024, letter signed by the Acting Vice Provost for Graduate Affairs, UT, Dr. Daniel J. Hammel congratulated Falegan for her well-merited admission.
Hammel said: “We are pleased to offer you admission to The University of Toledo’s Engineering (Ph D) Chemical Engineering programme in the College of Engineering for the fall 2024 term. We look forward to meeting you.”
Speaking on her decision to pursue her Doctorate studies in the USA, Falegan said: “I decided to pursue my Ph. D studies in the United States because of the research foundation I acquired at ABUAD of Water and Wastewater treatment as well as my love for sustainable solutions in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta Region.
“Even though I didn’t have a Master’s Degree when I applied, I was accepted into two prestigious universities and given full funding, which will pay for all of my tuition during my five years of study. I’ll be pursuing a Ph. D in Chemical Engineering at the University of Toledo in Ohio, United States.”
The news about Oluwagbemisola Falegan’s rare feat came to the fore via an email her father, Mr Vincent Yomi Falegan, sent to the Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, intimating him about this development and congratulating him (Babalola) and the entire ABUAD community on the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Ranking which ranked the university as follows:
* Number One (1) in the world for SDG-7
* Number One (1) in Nigeria for three (3) consecutive years: 2022, 2023 and 2024.
* Number One (1) in the world for SDG -7 (affordable and clean energy).
* Number One (1) in the world in OUTREACH (98.0)
* Number One (1) in the world for STEWARDSHIP (98.2)
His words: “My name is Yomi Falegan, the father to one of your alumni, Oluwagbemisola Cynthia Falegan, who studied Petroleum Engineering in your institution and graduated with a Second-Class Upper Degree in 2017.
“The recent ranking of universities in the world by the Times Higher Education ranked ABUAD the best university in Nigeria and among the best 100-200 in the world”.
He added: “Let me congratulate you in particular and the ABUAD community in general on this feat. This recognition, among others, testifies to your love for education, management acumen, and sincerity of purpose. I wish you and the university more future successful endeavours.
“The above qualities dovetailed into the successes of your alumni, which I frequently followed on Facebook and LinkedIn. This has made me realize that my investment in my daughter at ABUAD was never a waste!! Thank you, sir, for your mentoring both academically and morally.
“Both your good self and the university have scored another plus! Oluwagbemisola Falegan, my daughter, who graduated with a B.Eng. (Petroleum Engineering, 2:1) in 2017 has been offered admission to a straight PhD (without a Master’s Degree) programme in Chemical Engineering at the University of Toledo, Ohio, USA (please see attached letter of admission). She will be under the direct supervision of Prof Maria Coleman. This would not have been possible without the sound background of ABUAD.
“I would like to appeal to you sir that this feat be celebrated by publishing it in the ABUAD Newsletter to serve as encouragement to other students and parents. Once again, thank you very much for your contribution to the development of humanity”.
In his reaction, the elated Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, said his vision and mission for ABUAD which commenced Academic works on Monday, January 4, 2010, to institutionalize quality and functional education and produce a new generation of leaders who will make the difference in all areas of human endeavour has since become a reality.
This has indeed manifested in Cynthia Oluwagbemisola Falegan’s life as in the lives of many of the alumni of the 15-year-old 21st Century university who are making waves in different continents of the world.
