A robust academic culture is essential for a university’s sustained excellence,thus, it is imperative for those in the university community to adhere to established policies, strategic plans and continuous evolution of institutional objectives, while showing commitment to the mission and vision and core values of the institution. ADEJUWON TEMITOPE(LASU) reports.
Creating a strong academic culture is pivotal to a university’s core mission. It is multidimensional as it involves embracing teaching excellence and knowledge improvement, consciousness of the mission and vision and core values of the university, promoting research and scholarly activities, bringing more ideas and meeting up with modern trends, among others. This and more formed the thrust of Prof. Rafiu Okuneye’s presentation at the maiden edition of the Lagos State University(LASU) Faculty of Education Distinguished Lecture Series which had the theme: “Fostering Academic Culture Towards University Greatness”.
Okuneye, a Professor of Exercise Physiology, Department of Human Kinetics,Sports and Health Education, Faculty of Education,LASU, noted that promoting academic culture also requires upholding the highest level of moral standards.
He said: “Society looks up to the university to be near perfect concerning conduct in an ideal society. For everything good and perfect, society looks up to the university.
To uphold academic culture, ethics demands that academic staff members protect students record without manipulation, protect exam questions, avoid abandoning duty post, don’t engage a surrogate for teaching, marking of scripts and invigilation, keep official information intact,stay away from unruly behaviour, stay away from plagiarism and never falsify certificate or any other records.
Always be academically active and avoid sterility. Avoid any act that may bring the name of the university to disrepute,this, every staff should comply with the rules and norms.”
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He noted that robustness of academic culture is felt in the university when academic activities become competitive, stressing the need for excellence in teaching.
“Academic staff should be updated on technological innovations, they should attend conferences actively and create ideas that bring sustainable solutions to societal problems and meet up with modern trends.
‘‘Employers want to see what graduates can create,bring to the table. Thus, we must teach our students to be able to face the challenges of modern times,” he said.
Okuneye explained that university culture can be divided into social culture, academic culture and political culture which is a critical aspect of university life.
He said two others are linked to academic culture, stressing that its features include, academic qualifications which is a priority, (not less than 70 per cent of teaching staff must have PhD), academic freedom,values, integrity, dignity,morals, among others.
On fostering sustainable academic culture, the don said: “Weak leadership cannot foster academic culture. There should be strong leadership across faculties. The ability to command respect is also important.Young and new staff must be prepared to be mentored in teaching, research and administration. Mentorship is about assisting to grow. A mentor must be respected, bring solutions to problems, and be seen as transparent and brilliant. Academic culture thrives on adherence to established policies, strategic plans and continuous evolution of institutional objectives.”
Okuneye, however, noted that certain vulnerabilities can undermine the foundation of academic culture.
“Insufficient facilities and equipment which further hinder effective teaching and research, governance challenges arise when university leadership manipulate regulations or suppress institutional committees leading to instability and breakdown of academic discipline,” he stated.
He said amid the challenges, upholding and nurturing sound academic culture requires the efforts of staff who are committed, creative, and knowledgeable.
In her goodwill message, Lagos State University of Education(LASUED) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, said:” I bring you felicitations from LASUED.
For the students of Human Kinetics Education (HKE), I am an alumnae of the department, the course is not a waste of time.
I hope this lecture series will be a continuous one with testimonies to share about the success starting form the one delivered today.”
Earlier, the VC who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Prof. Oseni Taiwo Afisi, stressed that the lecture series has signaled a new tradition of intellectual engagement which would enrich academic culture. She described the initiative as commendable, adding that it keeps the school focused to be the best in West Africa.
Dean Faculty of Education Prof. Gbenga Akindoju said the theme of the lecture is timely and strategic, stressing the importance of teacher education to national development.
“We can not achieve greatness alone, we call on stakeholders to help in providing an enabling environment for students.Let this lecture ignite and position LASU as a beacon of research,” he added.
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Executive Officer of Widescope Group of Companies, Dr Oluwasegun Alade Musa donated N5 million to the faculty of education. He also pledged a cash prize of N1 million for the best graduating student of the faculty of education; N500,000 for second best and N250,000 for third best.
Alakesan of Akesan Kingdom, Oba Nojeemdeen Aberejo also donated N1 million to the faculty.