MAPCED Director Inducted As Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Calls for Professional Entrepreneurship Among Academics

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

The Director, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (MAPCED), Arc. Dr. Olabisi Baiyewu has called on academics in Nigeria to embrace professional entrepreneurship principles and practices in addition to their academic pursuits.

Arc. Baiyewu made this call shortly after his induction as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) in Ibadan over the weekend.

Baiyewu appealed to academics in Nigeria not to restrict themselves solely to the pursuit of academic excellence at the detriment of possessing industry-required professional qualifications, soft skills and basic entrepreneurship know-how.

Taking a retrospective look at his own humble personal academic backgrounds, Baiyewu recounted that he passed through the National Diploma(ND) and Higher National Diploma(HND) programmes at the then Ogun State Polytechnic before proceeding to the University for his first degree in Architecture, noting that the conferment of Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Architects after attaining his Doctorate degree in his chosen profession bears testament to the premium value he places on professionalism.

The Entrepreneurship Centre Director further noted that Nigerian academics, especially those in the Polytechnic system, will develop better capacity for grooming graduates that are problem-solvers and entrepreneurs if they stay in touch with the field of practice and relevant professional bodies.

In his words, "the combination of academic excellence with professional excellence is the new normal for academics in today's world", adding that "the possession and inclusion of entrepreneurial know-how" are core requirements for survival in today's world regardless of your chosen field of study".

OTN News recalls that the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) was founded on the 1st of April 1960, as an association of independent professional architects with the aim of fostering friendship amongst members, cater for their welfare and establish mutual support and cooperation amongst them.

From a modest 13 members at inauguration, the Institute has experienced a phenomenal growth in its membership, activities, stature and influence both at national and international levels to about 12000 members.