CENVOS

Centre For and Vocational and Entrepreneurial Studies

In realization that white collar jobs are gradually getting out of reach of the   people, the University established the Centre for Entrepreneurial and Vocational Studies (CENVOS) to further equip the students against unemployment. This goal does not in any way inhibit the efforts in making the University’s graduates to be professionally and academically sound in their major courses of study. The importance of this is that by the time the students are graduating, they would have been equipped with both the certificate to teach and the inherent skills of entrepreneurship knowledge to meet the challenges of self-reliance in contemporary Nigeria and the world at large.

Facilities:

The Centre commenced operations in 2005 at inception of the University from BLOCK “C”. The new CENVOS building was declared open on January 4th 2018 by Chairman and members of The University Council who, in their wisdom, renamed the Centre after the immediate past Vice Chancellor and now known as Professor Oluyemisi Oluremi Obilade Centre for Entrepreneurial and Vocational Studies.

The Vocational Studies Units offers the following programmes:

(1) Fruit Juice, Beverages and Non-Alcoholic Drink Production

(2) Bee-Keeping

(3) Fashion Designing

(4) Shoe and Bag making

(5) Hair dressing and cosmetology

(6) Fish Farming

(7) Woodwork

(8) Textile Design

(9) Catering

HUMAN RESOURCES (PERSONNEL)

Teaching Staff:

The Centre does not have its own teaching staff but relies on staff from the academic departments who teach related courses to provide instruction for its courses. These academic staff members are coordinated by Co-coordinators appointed for each of the academic units of the Centre that includes General Studies (GNS), Entrepreneurship courses (ENT) and Vocational courses (VOS).

Administrative Staff:

Administrators are also drawn from academic administrative units of the University headed by a Director.

PRACTICAL FACILITIES AT THE CENTRE

Plantain Plantation: The Centre has established a plantain plantation with over  500 stands of plantain already producing fruits for sale.

Fish Ponds and Hatchery: The Centre has seven earthen ponds of different sizes. It also has a hatchery complex. All these are used for students’ hands-on practical and commercial production.

Cassava Farm: The Centre also has over six (6) acres of cassava farm used for practicals by students offering GNS 222 (Land Use).

HAIR DRESSING AND COSMETOLOGY: The Centre houses a well-equipped unisex hairdressing and cosmetology unit that offers a wide range of beauty and grooming services.

FRUIT JUICE, BEVERAGES AND NON ALCOHOLIC DRINK PRODUCTION: This Unit specializes in the production of orange and pineapple fruit juice. It also produces high- quality custard available in 350g and 1.5kg packs to suit different household needs.

 FASHION DESIGNING: The Fashion Designing Unit has the state-of-the-art straight sewing and industrial machines. We also have ordered for the procurement of four-head digital monogramme machine for fabric structural designing and branding, as well as heat transfer equipment. The one already acquired does not meet with the University’s target.

The Centre’s Fashion Designing Unit has handled several garment production services which includes production of school uniforms for Tai Solarin University of Education Secondary School (TASUESS) and graduation gowns for our University and other Higher Institutions.

SHOE AND BAG MAKING: This unit has standard machines and is involved in the production of high quality shoes and exquisite bags for local and international conferences and workshops.

MARKETABLE PRODUCTS: From the hands-on practical sessions of our Vocational studies and GNS courses, the following courses are being realized and sold to the community:

1. Garri and Lafu
2. Dyed Textile Materials.
3. Souvenir Items Branded for the University e.g Towels, Bed Sheets, Buckets, T-Shirts.
4. Conference Bags and Folders.
5. Shoes.
6. Garments and Fashion Accessories.
7. Fresh and Smoked Catfish.
8. Fruit Juice.
9. Honey.
10. Custard.
11. Baked Cakes, Well-Made chin-chin and Peanut.
12. Broilers and Niolas.
13. Turkey.
14. Old Layers and Eggs.
15. High Breeds Rabbits.

Vocational Final Clearance and feedback:

The Centre has continued to authenticate and certify that students fulfill requirements of the University Senate by ensuring and enforcing the policy that all JME students must pass at least three of the vocational skill courses, while all direct entry students must pass at least two vocational skill courses registered for before such students would be cleared for graduation.

ISSUANCE OF CENVOS CERTIFICATES:

The University Management has commenced issuance of Certificates of Proficiency to graduating students in their chosen vocational areas. Feedbacks reveal that most of them get employed with their Vocational experience than main courses studied.

Available records have indicate that a significant number of our graduates rely on their vocational skills for livelihood after graduation more than on their primary course of study. Many have turned to be job creators in their areas of specialization, contributing meaningfully to the economy and their communities.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Through its various activities, the Centre has made significant contributions to community service, both within the local environment and on a broader global scale.

Plantain Plantation: The Centre has established a thriving plantain plantation, with over 500 stands of plantain already bearing fruits. The fruits produced are sold to the general public — including university staff and immediate community at very affordable prices.
For staff members who may not be able to pay immediately, a convenient option is available: they can purchase plantains and pay in installments, with deductions made directly from their salaries.

Fish Ponds and Hatchery: The Centre operates seven earthen ponds of various sizes, along with a fully functional Hatchery Complex. These facilities serve good purposes: providing hands-on practical training for students and supporting commercial fish production.
The fish produced are sold not only within the University but also to the wider community.

Cassava Farm: The Centre manages over six acres of cassava farmland, primarily used for the hands-on practical sessions by students enrolled in GNS 222 – Land Use. In addition to crop cultivation, the Centre is now poised to veer into full-scale livestock production as part of its growing Land Use program.
Garri and Cassava Flour (Elubo) harvested from the farm are sold to members of both immediate University community and the larger surrounding environment

Hair Dressing and Cosmetology: The centre houses a well-equipped, unisex hairdressing and cosmetology unit that offers a wide range of beauty and grooming services. Facilities include modern barbing salon, beauty care stations, and body massage services.

Fruit Juice, Beverages and Non-Alcoholic Drink Production: This Unit specializes in the production of orange and pineapple fruit juice, offering healthy, natural options to the University and surrounding community. It also produces high-quality custard, available in small and medium-sized packs to suit different household needs.

Fashion Designing: The Fashion Designing Unit has the state-of-the-art straight sewing and industrial machines. This Unit offers top-notch services to the community including the production of academic gowns, school uniforms and other custom-made garments.

Shoe and Bag Making: This Unit is well-equipped with standard machinery and skilled hands dedicated to the production of high quality shoes and beautifully crafted bags.The focus is on blending creativity with craftsmanship, offering students practical experience while delivery stylish and durable products to the University community and beyond.

Empowerment through Job Creation: It is on record that Graduates of the University are known to adapt quickly to the nation’s unemployment challenges. Many of them become job creators — not just job seekers — even before they complete their studies. Through the Centre’s skill-based training and enterpreneurial focus, students are empowered to turn their knowledge into real-world opportunities, paving the way for self-reliance and economic impact.

Production of Souvenirs: The Centre’s products are proudly featured as souvenirs during University events and are presented as thoughtful gifts to visiting dignitaries and guests. These items reflect the creativity, quality and practical skills fostered within the Centre.

COURTESY VISITS AND EXTENSION SERVICES

–    The Centre at various times received representatives of some tertiary institutions who came to understudy her operations. Prominent among these are Representative from:

–    Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife

–    Ibrahim Badamosi University Lapai, Niger State

–    Lagos State Polytechnic, Lagos

–    Extension services for youths of Ile Ogbo Community Osun State.

–    Summer Holiday Programme