Jennifer Ugwueke
The Dean, Postgraduate School, Lagos State University, LASU, Prof. Joseph Olagunju has disclosed that the Institution has again blazed the trail as the first Institution of higher learning in Nigeria to offer doctorate degree programmes in Business Administration (DBA) and Public Administration (DPA) respectively.
The elated dean disclosed this at the historic orientation programme organised by the University for the newly admitted students for both Doctor of Business Administration and Doctor of Public Administration on Saturday, 28th November 2020 at the Ojoo Main Campus.
Prof. Olagunju, while congratulating the pioneering students admitted for these programmes, narrated a brief history of the two programmes, gave insightful information on registration, method of payment (s), meaningful roles and contributions of past MBA and MPA students on the programmes, general rules and regulations guiding the new programmes, and most importantly made clarification between Ph.D and DBA/DPA programmes.
He warmly appreciated the new students for making the right decision of joining LASU, an academic Institution of great repute.
He equally congratulated the Faculty of Management Sciences for blazing the trail and for emerging as the first faculty to kick-start the programmes, noting that the faculty of education is currently at the concluding stage of hers.
However, making clarification on the difference between Ph.D and DBA, the revered Professor of Medical Biochemistry said “…although both are focused on business, a DBA degree and a Ph.D in Business Administration are quite different.
A Ph.D in Business Administration is a research-oriented doctoral degree ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in academia and contributing to business scholarship, while a DBA degree focuses on theoretical knowledge that can be applied to the practice of business and business management.”
He added that a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree is a terminal business-focused degree that provides practical knowledge that can be directly applied in the workplace.
Prof. Olagunju also stated that DBA and DPA programmes focus on providing students with the real – world, Business oriented critical thinking and problem – solving skills.
He assured the students that earning a doctorate in Business Administration/Public Administration will equip them with working knowledge based on the latest business/Administration research, theories and trends.
Earlier in his speech, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Elias Wahab, welcomed the newly admitted students at the Postgraduate level to the Second Best University in Nigeria as rated by the Times Higher Education (THE) world University ranking 2021 and on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. ‘Lanre Fagbohun, SAN, NPOM, appreciated the fresh students’ choice of making the most preferred University in Nigeria an option. “…on behalf of the VC, I welcome you all to the most preferred University in Nigeria, we started small, but, currently attaining greater heights…the social reality in sociology is that the town and the gown must have a meeting point and this is a meeting point for us…there is need to gain more knowledge, share ideas with the academic world.”
Prof. Elias Wahab assured the students on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, of capable hands, but, charged them to study hard to achieve excellence.
The University Registrar, Mr. Mohammed Olayinka Amuni, manupa, mnim, was represented by the Deputy Registrar, Postgraduate School, Mr. Emmanuel S. Fanu.
Professors, Departmental Heads, Coordinators of Academic Programmes at the Faculty of Management Sciences, Director, Academic Planning, Mrs. Olanrewaju -John, Deputy Director, Works and Physical Planning, Engr. Odukaiye, Acting Dean, Students’ Affairs, Dr. Tajudeen Olumoko were among other top officials of the University at the event.
The Maiden edition of the Orientation programme for students at this level was well attended.