Dr Rotimi Taiwo, a senior lecturer in the Department of English, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, is the chairman, Central Coordinating Committee of the department’s forthcoming conference. He speaks with Adewale Oshodi on his plan for the sustenance of the conference, considering the fact that the last one was held over 25 years ago. Excerpts:

The last time the English Department organised such a conference that will be coming up next month was in the 80s. What plans do you have for the conference now?
Definitely, it’s really been a long time we organised such a conference. The last time was in the 80s and we are hoping to be having it every year if we can be getting sponsors. This year’s conference is really very important considering the impact of information technology on people’s lives. The challenge, however, is raising funds, because we are in a society where anything that has to do with academic work attracts little support.

How did you come about the theme of the conference?
The theme will focus on three disciplines, that is, language, literature and communication. These disciplines are different but related. We are aware of how communication in a globalised and digital age impact on the use of language, literature and communication, so it is with this mind that we have chosen the theme, Language, Literature and Communication in the Globalised and Digital Age. However, the conference is also open to people from other disciplines, and it will hold between August 20 and 23, at the OAU Conference Centre. We know academics, as well as the society will benefit from the conference through the recommendations that will be made at the end of the conference.

Funding is one of the biggest challenges facing the committee; what steps have you taken to reach out to would-be sponsors?
We have made a lot of efforts to reach out to individuals, corporate organisations, government, to help by supporting the conference, and so far, we have been getting positive responses. We have also tried to link up with some of our products who are now in positions of authority, and maybe something big can come from there.

However, I hope more corporate organisations can be supporting academic work. It is only by doing this that such knowledge can be transferred for the benefit of the society.