A Professor of Medical Virology and Environmental Health at the University of Ilorin, Mathew Kolawole, has added three different international laurels to his intimidating profile as a renowned academic and researcher.
These are: his recognition as a Global Exceptional Talent, the extension of his Fellowship by a front line foreign University and the winning of a multimillion Naira grant in collaboration with some foreign colleagues.
The conferment of the Global Exceptional Talent was conveyed to the erudite scholar in a letter dated August 9, 2023 by the Royal Society, United Kingdom.
The University of Warwick, United Kingdom also extended his Institute of Advanced Study (IAS) Fellowship and the status of Visiting Professor at its School of Engineering.
The fellowship from the University of Warwick was extended for three years from August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2027 through a letter dated July 19, 2023 and signed by the Director of the Institute, Prof. Mohan K. Balasubramanian.
Also, the foremost scientist was named as a member of a team of distinguished scientists that won an over €2 Million Discretionary Award from the Wellcome Trust Grant Award to enable them carry out a penetrating research project titled “Reconstructing the transmission intensity of arboviruses across Africa and the impact of interventions in a changing climate”.
The research, which would be done in collaboration with his colleagues from 14 African countries and the Imperial College, London, United Kingdom, as well as the World Health Organisation, would be led Dr Ilana Dorigatti, the Principal Investigator, while Prof. Kolawole would serve as the Investigator for Nigeria.
In a telephone chat with UNILORIN BULLETIN, Prof. Kolawole described the three developments as monumental milestones in his career, which has seen him transcending “the viral world” in the last two decades.
Prof. Kolawole, who thanked the Almighty God for the opportunities, explained that the status will further provide him formidable platforms to contribute to the global drive targeted at reducing the burden of infectious diseases by providing real time surveillance and response to emerging and reemerging infectious diseases outbreaks.
While thanking the University of Ilorin for the opportunities granted him to explore the world of science and learning, the renowned Microbiologist explained that the new status and the renewal of the Fellowship as well as the grant would further boost the image of the University of Ilorin as a centre of excellence.
Reacting, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, welcomed the rising profile of Prof. Kolawole, saying that he was not surprised by the new frontiers attained by the award winning scholar.
Prof. Egbewole, who spoke through the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, congratulated Prof. Kolawole on his spectacular and simultaneous achievement of the three milestones.
The Vice Chancellor commended Prof. Kolawole for always making the University of Ilorin proud at regional, national and global levels through his stimulating researches and exemplary interventions in tackling human challenges, particularly in his sphere of learning.
While urging Prof. Kolawole to continue to work harder for his personal glory and that of the University of Ilorin, the Vice Chancellor enjoined other members of the University community to emulate the relentless pursuit of excellence exhibited by the distinguished scientist for the University to remain better by far.
