The Vice Chancellor, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, Professor Olanrewaju Olaniyan has commended Professor Deborah Olayide Ajayi on her recently delivered inaugural lecture at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, describing her as a scholar of repute with distinction. The university Chief Executive stated this at the Trenchard Hall on Thursday after witnessing the 549th inaugural lecture.
In her inaugural lecture titled “Exploration of Pure Mathematics: Convergence of the Abstract, the Beautiful and the Useful”, according to a release by the Media and Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, Wale Adeoye, the Professor of Mathematics, Professor Deborah Olayide Ajayi emphasized the concealed usefulness of mathematics, which is evident in our day-to-day activities.
According to the Dean, Faculty of Science Education, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo who is currently on sabbatical from the University of Ibadan, “mathematics is employed to find solutions to issues and questions that come up in daily life and various industries and professions describing Mathematics as a driving force behind human progress because it helps to understand the events that have occurred and to predict and prepare for events to come so that we can more fully understand our world and more successfully live in it.”
“The true value of Pure Mathematics often lies in its unpredictability. What may seem like abstract exploration today could be the key to solving future challenges in fields we haven’t even imagined.” She stated that “mathematics is found everywhere, in medicine, sports, engineering, performance analysis, navigation systems, electronic music production, computer gaming, quantum physics, fashion design, and so much more.”
Professor Deborah Olayide Ajayi, therefore, recommended that to enable Pure Mathematics to thrive, be attractive, loved, and used by all, an adequate number of competent and knowledgeable staff should be employed to teach Mathematics at all levels.
Professor Ajayi is the first woman to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Mathematics from the University of Ibadan and second from any Nigerian university.
