As part of the ongoing effort of McPherson University to ensure her students get the best possible experience, a team of students in their third-year at McPherson University have made significant strides in improving the student experience by developing a groundbreaking Hostel Allocation Management System. In partnership with New-Horizon, a renowned IT training institute registered with the University. These innovative students have created a platform that will streamline hostel management and enhance the overall quality of student life.

On Monday, October 7, 2024, McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State, a tertiary institution of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, received a new set of students, marking the commencement of the 2024/25 academic session, with enthusiasm and delight.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the following vacant positions in the University.

Dr. Oluwanike OGUNTOKUN has been appointed as the first Acting Dean of College of Law of McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State, for one year with effect from February 1, 2024. With her appointment, which was approved by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, the don will be responsible to the Vice-Chancellor and Senate for the general and academic administration of her College in the areas of teaching, research and community services.

Dr. Olufunso ALOWOLODU has been appointed as the Acting Dean of the College of Computing of McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State, for one year in the first instance with effect from December 1, 2023. Her appointment was approved by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, and she is saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the general administration and academic activities in her College in the areas of teaching, research, and community services.

A team of scientists from McPherson University has reported bacterial species with the ability to degrade plastic, thus reducing the presence of this hard-to-eliminate substance polluting the environment. The bacteria were able to reduce the weight of plastic by almost 90%, a three-fold improvement on previous reports on the plastic-degrading bacteria. Plastic is commonly used as packaging material; however, it is composed of hazardous compounds mostly derived from harmful petrochemicals. Its indiscriminate usage results in environmental pollution and hazards such as blockage of waterways and drainage; hence, the researchers sought to contribute towards reducing these hazards. The collaborative study by researchers from the Departments of Chemical Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Physical and Computer Sciences, respectively, found two strains of an organism with proven ability to use plastic as food. They reported that this action led to degradation of the tough polyethylene polymers (known as LDPE) that are the common form in which plastic is used in society, but the polymer can take years to degrade. The study, published in Environmental Technology, a Journal published by Taylors and Francis

a leading international scientific publisher, reports that two strains of plastic-eating bacteria, Proteus mirabilis, were found in a heavy oil-contaminated soil in Osun State, and they broke down the polymer while also reducing available carbon in plastic that can serve as food by almost 50%. Further use of Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersal X-Ray, two powerful and precise imaging tools, confirmed significant distortion of the plastic the bacteria fed on, further confirming degradation. Stating the importance of their results, the team concluded that the bacteria could become useful in clean up and promotion of a clean environment. “With this study, we showed that the organisms have viable plastic biodegradation potentials and may be useful in the management of plastic waste, leading to a reduction in global plastic waste and a clean environment.” Speaking further on the research, Dr. Kayode Olumurewa, a material scientist and co-author of the study, further highlighted the importance of collaboration towards improving society. “This interdisciplinary research cuts across fields of microbiology, materials science, and environmental chemistry, and it is once again proof that research collaboration across disciplines is pivotal to solving diverse environmental or technological challenges bedeviling our society.”

Written by Dr. Sunday O. Omeike and Reported in https://lnkd.in/dyuBbrXZ