The Renaissance University is an idea and an ideal whose time has finally come. We are all conversant with what had happened to the Nigerian educational system out of which the University education has suffered innumerable punches from cheating at the UME and racket admission, lack of facilities, constant strikes by staff and students, secrets cultism, examination malpractice, bizarre academic calendar etc. The result of these punches is a University system that has been technically knocked out (TKO). The three conventional University competencies of Teaching, Research and Community Service have been completely compromised because none of the three is receiving the attention it deserves. The promoters of Renaissance thus conceived of a University that will bring a complete rebirth to the University education system in Nigeria.
Renaissance University (RNU), an institution established with excellence as its focus, was one of eight tertiary institutions issued with licence to operate as a Private University in 2005 by National Universities Commission (NUC).
However, of all the eight Private Universities, Renaissance University is unique in the sense that it is the only one that started on a virgin land without infrastructure or utilities. This affected the immediate take off of the University until September, 2007 when the gates of the University were opened to the pioneer students.
Renaissance University’s focus is exclusively on academic, technical and ethical excellence and we set out to change the face of University education in Nigeria through a carefully structured and efficiently executed curriculum aimed at producing the total man who will always be preferred in the job market than the other graduates. This is in line with our vision whose key phase is “to be a centre of excellence” and our mission which is “to produce a roundly trained universal man, who is well motivated and poised to accelerate national development, using sound knowledge and application of innovations in Arts, Science and Technology”.
Since we have just taken off, there is not much done yet in the area of research but in line with our “communiversity” spirit we are poised to embark on razor-edge researches that will benefit the agrarian community we are located in. Arrangements are on to satisfy this focus as we intensify our determination to put in place our virtual library that will afford our students and staff access to research reports all over the world. The University has a unique policy that requires academic staff and research fellows to carry out researches that would attract grants if they will continue to be retained on University’s strength. The University is also putting in place a large farm that will be used not only to generate revenue but largely to enhance agricultural research.
Research is one of the platforms on which the University wishes to establish its name as a centre of excellence. To do this we intend to:
Our vision is encapsulated in the essence of our name: “To be a centre of excellence for teaching, research and community service that empowers the individual to strive to the utmost development of humanity”.
Our mission is to produce well trained and motivated graduates that are poised to accelerate national development with sound knowledge and application of innovations in science and Technology.
Our philosophy is to produce the total man who is sound in learning, worthy in character and useful to humanity.
The goals of the University are:
In order to achieve these goals, the University consents to:
The establishment of Renaissance University is predicated on the following reasons:
For over a decade now, the administration of the University education in Nigeria has experienced deep crises that resulted in declined standards of performance. The system has been characterized by labour unrest, gross under funding, inadequate human and material resources. The combined effect of these accounts for low level teaching and practical exercises; lower research activities and output; and feeble community services. It is thus the desire of Renaissance University to operate the University devoid of these encumbrances, in the way it is supposed to operate; such that every stakeholder will experience optimum benefits. For Renaissance University, these are the hallmark of an ideal University.
The establishment of Renaissance University is a call to national duty as mentioned in section 19A of Decree No. 9 of January 1993 – the Educational (National Minimum Standard and Establishment of Institutions) Amendment Decree 1993 states in part that:
An institution of higher education may be sponsored or owned by the Government of the Federation or of a state or by a Local Government or by any of the following, that is:company incorporated in Nigeria; an individual or association of individuals who are citizens of Nigeria and who satisfy the criteria set out in the schedule to this Act for establishment of institutions.
Complementing governments efforts and responsibilities are enormous. Therefore, there is the need for capable citizens to complement the efforts of the government by providing some social services. While the proprietors are complementing Government’s efforts in the area of telecommunications, the establishment of Renaissance University is yet another contribution to the development of University education in Nigeria.
Renaissance University is a non-profit making institution. The sole objective of establishment of the University is to bring affordable and qualitative University education within the reach of the Nigerian youth that will curb the rush of sending our children abroad for University education. Besides, the University would have a scholarship scheme that would afford gifted but indigent Nigerians access to University education. It is the plan of the proprietors to introduce a work-study system in the University, which will inculcate in the students a sense of responsibility and respect for dignity in labour.
The orientation and grooming of the undergraduates of Renaissance University will be such that its graduates will be truly found worthy in character and knowledge. This will be achieved through rejuvenated curricula that the University intends to operate as presented in the University’s Academic Brief.