[vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”About the Department” alignment=”left” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;”][/ultimate_heading][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]Following the establishment of University of Ife, now ObafemiAwolowo University, Mr. Isaac Akioye was appointed to administer sports and some sports facilities, which included the gymnasium, were constructed for the purpose. In 1968, the need for an academic programme arose and the Senate of the University constituted the sports unit to an autonomous unit on the name, (Institute of Physical Education) independent of any Faculty in the University and the B. A (Physical and Health Education) programme was approved and commenced during the 1968/1969 Session. The Institute was responsible for both the academic programme and was also in charge of the organization and administration of sports. During 1975/1976 Session, the Institute became part of the Faculty of Education offering degree programme leading to the award of Bachelor of Arts in Education (Physical Education) and Bachelor of Science in Education (Physical Education). During 1980/1981 Session, both the M.A. and Ph.D (Physical Education programmes were approved.
On the 13th of November, 1997, ObafemiAwolowo University Governing Council approved the establishment of the Sports Council. Following the pressure on the University to separate the Sports council from academic unit, the Institute was re-designated as the Department of Physical and Health Education. Following programme review, the Department started to award the B. Ed. (Physical and Education) degree in 1995/1996.
In 2006 and in addition to the existing B.Ed. (Physical and Health Education), three new undergraduate programmes were approved by Senate in which Physical and Health were to be ran as single major with Education. The programmes are: (Health Education and B.Sc. Physical and Health Education). On students’ academic performance, the Department has successfully graduated high quality human resources at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Following the change in name of the Department in 2016 to Kinesiology, Health Education and Recreation, the programme review to effect the name and course codes is now in progress.
The undergraduate degrees span a minimum of four academic sessions (UTME) and a minimum of three academic sessions (Direct Entry). The Department also runs research based Postgraduate Masters and Doctorate degrees in the areas of Sports Administration, Sports Psychology, Health Education, Adapted Physical Education and Exercise physiology. Currently the Postgraduate programmes in the Department are being reviewed to accommodate M.Phil and Postgraduate programmes.
A manifestation of the accomplishments of the department in this area is shown in the high ranking positions occupied by the graduates in Universities, sports industry, health establishments, national and international management platforms and a host of others. Graduates from any programme in the Department are equipped with the technical knowledge to contribute effectively to improving the physical development of sports in the grassroots level and at the national level as well as health and wellness of the society. Graduates of the department are highly competent teachers, coaches and sports’ administrators who are capable of implementing sports education programmes in secondary schools, Colleges of Education, universities, other tertiary institutions and sports councils; train effective leaders in educational health and sports sectors in Nigeria.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]