Thomas Adewumi University hosted the 1st Faculty Seminar Series, an academic initiative of the Directorate of Research, Innovations and Product Development (DRIPDEV), designed to foster intellectual engagement and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration across the University.
The seminar, which brought together members of staff from various faculties, marked a significant step in TAU’s commitment to promoting research, innovation, and knowledge exchange within and beyond the academic community.
In his welcome address, the Director of DRIPDEV, Dr. Eniafe F. Ayetiran, highlighted the core objectives of the Faculty Seminar Series, noting that the platform is aimed at encouraging scholarly dialogue and facilitating the sharing of emerging ideas across disciplines. He emphasized that the initiative will enhance interdisciplinary research collaborations within the University.
Dr. Ayetiran further explained that the seminar presentations will be rotated among faculties, beginning with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. According to him, subsequent editions will feature other faculties, with the next seminar scheduled to be hosted by the Faculty of Basic Medical and Health Sciences.
Speaking on the maiden presentation, he introduced the speaker, the Head of the Department of Languages, Mr. Adetunji O. Adelokun, expressing confidence that participants would gain deeper insights into the relationship between medical care and poetics by the end of the session.
Delivering her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francisca O. Oladipo, appreciated the presence of Deans, Directors, and members of staff, describing the seminar series as a vital part of the University’s academic culture. She noted that such platforms provide opportunities for scholars to share ideas, showcase their research, and engage across disciplinary boundaries.
The Vice-Chancellor encouraged staff to actively participate in the seminar series, urging faculties to present engaging and impactful topics. She also called on Heads of Departments and Deans to motivate 300- and 400-level students to attend future sessions, noting that such exposure would enable them to learn from ongoing research and academic discourse.
The highlight of the event was the presentation titled “The Poetics of Care and the Politics of Health: Towards an Interdisciplinary Extrapolation of Medical Humanism,” delivered by Mr. Adetunji Oluwapelumi Adelokun.
Prior to the presentation, the citation of the speaker was read by Miss Victory Asonibare, who described Mr. Adelokun as a distinguished researcher and educator specializing in Literature, Comparative Literature, and poetic writing, with several scholarly publications in reputable journals contributing to contemporary literary discourse.
In his presentation, Mr. Adelokun explored the intersection between literature and healthcare, drawing from his academic experiences during his master’s programme. He began with a reflective perspective, noting that patients often describe pain not through clinical language, but through stories, metaphors, and memories. He explained that while medicine interprets symptoms, literature interprets meaning, and that an interdisciplinary dialogue between both fields can bridge this gap.
Expounding on the concept of Medical Humanism, he described it as an approach that promotes compassionate and holistic healthcare. He outlined key principles, including understanding patients as individuals rather than mere cases, demonstrating empathy and emotional intelligence in clinical practice, upholding ethical responsibility in healthcare decisions, recognizing the social and cultural contexts of illness, and integrating the humanities into medical education.
On the Poetics of Care, Mr. Adelokun explained that it refers to the expressive language through which suffering and healing are communicated. He highlighted important elements such as the use of metaphors in describing illness, emotional and symbolic expressions of vulnerability, storytelling as a therapeutic tool, and the role of poetry and narrative in fostering empathy and strengthening the connection between patients and healthcare providers.
Addressing the Politics of Health, he emphasized that health extends beyond biological factors and is significantly influenced by social and political realities. He identified critical issues including inequality in access to healthcare; cultural beliefs about health and illness, particularly within African contexts; public health policies and governance; the effects of poverty and marginalization on health outcomes, and historical influences such as colonialism and structural inequalities.
In concluding his presentation, Mr. Adelokun discussed the areas of convergence between these concepts and underscored the importance of understanding patients through their lived experiences. He cited the renowned physician William Osler, stating, “The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease,” reinforcing the need for empathy and narrative understanding in healthcare.
The seminar concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants shared insights, asked thought-provoking questions, and contributed meaningfully to the discussion.
The maiden Faculty Seminar Series demonstrated Thomas Adewumi University’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, innovative research, and intellectual advancement. By creating platforms that encourage interdisciplinary engagement and critical thinking, TAU continues to position itself at the forefront of higher education, driving impactful research and shaping solutions to contemporary societal challenges.
As the University looks forward to subsequent editions of the seminar series, it remains dedicated to nurturing a vibrant academic culture that inspires collaboration, creativity, and global relevance.
