•To be affiliated to Gallaudet University in United States
A university for the deaf is to be established in Sagamu areas of Ogun State soon, INN reports from source
The institution, which would be affiliated to the Gallaudet University, Washington DC, United States of America, will be set up by the Wesley University, Ondo and is expected to cater to no fewer than 10 million deaf people in the country.
INN learnt that the Chairman, Board of Directors of Smartcity, Demola Aladekomo, disclosed this to newsmen when he led members of the board of Wesley University on a courtesy visit to the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in his office on Tuesday.
Aladekomo said the location was suitable because of its easy accessibility and proximity to Lagos airport, he said this while appreciating Amosun for his assurance of support.
The Interim Dean, School of Education, Business and Human Services of Gallaudet University, Dr. Khadijat Rashid, said the university is overdue as the deaf need special attention in their learning instructions.
To refresh our memories, Gallaudet University (GU) located in the northeast province of Washington, D.C. is a co-educational institution for deaf, and dumb and blind students along with students who are not impaired. Presently, the college offers a comprehensive array of more than 40 majors, certificate and master programs to a student population of 1,623. The undergraduate students also have the opportunity to design their own majors, known as “self-directed majors”, wherein students can choose classes from the multiple departments at Gallaudet or select courses offered at 12 other institutions of higher learning. The aspiring undergraduate students of Gallaudet are awarded bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degrees.
INN learnt that the institution which was Founded in 1856, as Gallaudet University, initially came into being as just a school and housing for six blind 12 deaf students established by Amis Kendall, a postmaster general during two presidential administrations. the proceeding years had Kendall persistently attempting to persuade Congress to incorporate the new school, which was called the Columbia Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb and Blind.
In 1864, the Congress authorised the institution to confer college degrees, which was later signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln. The first commencement in June 1869, saw three young men getting their diplomas signed by the then U.S. president Ulysses S. Grant. This tradition still lives on at Gallaudet wherein, all diplomas are signed by the presiding U.S. President.
The college portion of the institution was changed to Gallaudet College in honor of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet (founder of the first school) and later the entire institution was known as Gallaudet University through an act of Congress in 1954.
Today, the college offers a comprehensive array of more than 40 majors, certificate and master programs to deaf, hard of hearing and hearing students. Gallaudet College provides its students with several internships and career opportunities, clubs and organisations, that is open to different cultures, visual learning, history and sign languages.
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