With a resounding call to redefine the future of physiotherapy, the Association of Physiotherapy Students at Thomas Adewumi University (TAU) launched its inaugural Health Week on May 26, 2025, with an opening ceremony and symposium themed “Beyond the Clinic: Expanding Career Horizons in Physiotherapy.” Held at the university auditorium, the event marked a historic moment for the department, setting a precedent for professional development initiatives within the university community.
In her welcome address, the President of the Association, Comrade Shuaib Simbiat, described the event as a long-anticipated dream finally realized. “What started as an idea has grown into something impactful. Over the past two years, we’ve worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life,” she said. Highlighting the essential but often underappreciated role of physiotherapists in healthcare, she noted that the week’s theme was deliberately chosen to broaden perspectives about the vast possibilities available within that field. “Physiotherapy is more than clinical practice, we are trained to restore human function, a critical aspect that deserves more recognition.”
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, the Director of Professional Studies, Dr. James Ishola, commended the association for organizing what he called a “first-of-its-kind initiative” in the university's history. Reflecting on TAU’s growth since its establishment in May 2021, he emphasized the visionary leadership and divine guidance of the Vice-Chancellor in expanding from three to seven faculties in just four years. He urged the students to build personal brands around their disciplines. “Physiotherapy is a practical and essential course, own it and build your identity around it.”
Delivering the keynote address, a distinguished physiotherapist from the University of Ilorin, Dr. Taiwo J. Oyewumi, challenged the students to rethink the scope of their career paths. “Physiotherapy isn’t just a clinical job, it’s a multifaceted profession with room for leadership, education, research, and innovation,” he said.
Dr. Oyewumi emphasized that clinical work is only one of the four pillars of physiotherapy, and not the ceiling. “The clinic is where many of us begin, but it’s not where the journey ends,” he said. He urged students to explore diverse roles in research and academia, healthcare administration, public policy, and emerging fields like health technology. “Physiotherapists are contributing to digital innovation, working on AI-powered rehab devices, collaborating with engineers, and shaping patient-centered tech solutions,” he noted.
Also, he spotlighted physiotherapists' growing influence in public health, policy-making, and entrepreneurship, citing examples of professionals launching rehab centers, ergonomic consulting firms, and digital health content platforms. “We are not just practitioners; we are advocates, educators, and innovators,” he said.
With its maiden Health Week, the Association of Physiotherapy Students at TAU has taken a bold step toward reimagining the profession’s future. By looking beyond the clinic, these students are positioning themselves to lead in research, innovation, and advocacy, proof that their future lies not just in practice, but in purpose.
