An alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Professor Paul Olomolaiye, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol, United Kingdom. The appointment, which also came with an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree, was celebrated in a grand ceremony at Bristol Cathedral.
Professor Olomolaiye, who studied at the University of Ife—popularly known as OAU—has built a career spanning over 40 years in education, research, and community service. His appointment has been described as a significant achievement not only for him but for the legacy of his alma mater. While serving as Dean at the University of Wolverhampton, he secured over £20 million in funding and supported over 3,000 engineering firms in Northern Birmingham. At UWE Bristol, he has been instrumental in promoting diversity and civic engagement as Pro Vice-Chancellor.
His current role as chair of the Cabot Learning Federation puts him in a position to oversee 35 schools in the UK. He is also a board member of the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health NHS Trust, demonstrating his growing impact beyond the education sector. With over 200 academic publications, Prof. Olomolaiye is widely respected globally as an expert in construction productivity and stakeholder management.
Reacting to the news, OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, said Olomolaiye’s achievements highlight the quality of the university’s training. “His journey reflects the ethos of OAU, learning that transforms society,” he said. Prof. Olomolaiye also paid tribute to the university, saying, “The foundation I got at Great Ife has guided every step of my journey.”
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