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Tag: Vice-Chancellor.

  • ‘UNIZIK students’ grasp of Chinese language unparalleled’

    Vice-President of Xiamen University, China, Prof. Yang Bin, has expressed satisfaction over the level of understanding of Chinese language and culture by students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.

    He said this in Awka, at the celebration of a decade of Confucius Institute at the university where he started teaching Chinese language and culture to the students and the public up to diploma and degree programmes.

    Bin noted that there was need to conduct research on what contributed to the fast understanding of Chinese language and culture by the students.

    He expressed optimism that the students will serve as a bridge between Nigeria and China.

    Earlier in his speech, the Vice Chancellor, UNIZIK, Prof. Charles Esimone, said the Confucius Institute at the university had moved from a mere centre for teaching Chinese language and culture to capacity-building in diverse disciplines ten years after its establishment.

    He reiterated that the institute was established as a result of a memorandum of understanding between the Chinese Language Council International (HANBAN) and Xiamen University on one hand and Nnamdi Azikiwe University on the other hand.

    Comending the Chinese teacher, Esimone noted that they have done marvelously well in the university by blending fast with the students and staff of the institution.

    He said, “My vision is for the university to capitalise on its relationship with the institute to train people in different areas, even in manufacturing, equipment maintenance, ICT, in Engineering, and Mass Communication. The Chinese have promised to accomplish it and has asked us to come up with a proposal.

    “There is subsisting staff exchange between UNIZIK and Xiamen University and arrangements are on to deploy staff of UNIZIK to teach Igbo language and culture in Xiamen University to make the relationship truly reciprocal.”

    Read Also: 2019 Hong Kong Open: Victory over Chinese star excites Quadri

    Bin noted that there was need to conduct research on what contributed to the fast understanding of Chinese language and culture by the students.

    He expressed optimism that the students will serve as a bridge between Nigeria and China.

    Earlier in his speech, the Vice Chancellor, UNIZIK, Prof. Charles Esimone, said the Confucius Institute at the university had moved from a mere centre for teaching Chinese language and culture to capacity-building in diverse disciplines ten years after its establishment.

    He reiterated that the institute was established as a result of a memorandum of understanding between the Chinese Language Council International (HANBAN) and Xiamen University on one hand and Nnamdi Azikiwe University on the other hand.

    Comending the Chinese teacher, Esimone noted that they have done marvelously well in the university by blending fast with the students and staff of the institution.

    He said, “My vision is for the university to capitalise on its relationship with the institute to train people in different areas, even in manufacturing, equipment maintenance, ICT, in Engineering, and Mass Communication. The Chinese have promised to accomplish it and has asked us to come up with a proposal.

    “There is subsisting staff exchange between UNIZIK and Xiamen University and arrangements are on to deploy staff of UNIZIK to teach Igbo language and culture in Xiamen University to make the relationship truly reciprocal.”

  • Between a Vice Chancellor and agitating parents

    The Vice Chancellor of the Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, Prof. Dapo Asaju was in the news recently in what could be described as an altercation between the university and some parents over some rules and regulations introduced by the institution to ensure discipline and smooth running of the academic engagements of its students.

    Ordinarily, the VC should not have been in the direct line of fire from the agitating parents over an action duly approved by the University authorities if he had stuck to the usual practice of mandating the Public Relations Unit or the Office of the Dean, Student Affairs, to engage the reactions. But he chose to take responsibility, perhaps in the belief that his explanation of the rationale behind the action taken by management would convince the parents that it was in the interest of all stakeholders, namely the students, their parents and the University.

    Unfortunately, he was viciously misunderstood by some parents who seemed unimpressed by any intervention that will involve strict control of the lifestyle of their wards even if such was designed to improve their character and academic training. However, the parents did not dispute the observations and findings of the University which led to the introduction of the said regulations. They only quarrelled with the solutions prescribed by the institution. Ironically, they have not proffered alternative measures that could help address the issues.

    For those reading this piece who may not have been following the trending story, let’s have a quick look at the major issues. The University observed that most students were missing classes, yet they were in school preferring to stay indoors in the hostels or loitering around engaging their mobile phones. Students hardly used the library which was fully equipped with a hefty investment. And some students were caught engaging in immoral activities such as having sex in class. Now, which reputable institution worth its name would discover all these then keep quiet and carry on as usual?

    These revelations ought to have alarmed the parents and guardians. And one would expect them to have resolved to support the institution to correct the anomalies because it is the future of their children or wards that is at stake. Sadly, some of them rejected the measures introduced by the University such as keeping hostels under lock for certain hours of the day when students were expected to be in class and the compulsory observation of reading hours in the evening/night especially when the power generators were running to bridge the usually epileptic public power supply experienced all over the country.

    The reaction of the parents to these measures, which they reportedly described as too strict and akin to treating their wards as secondary school students, is shocking and unbelievable. It also must have been so shocking to the VC as to make him indicate that he would stop further personal interaction with parents. He also advised those who were not in agreement with the institution’s decision to withdraw their wards if they so wished.

    As the VC rightly pointed out, there are many private universities in the country which operate more stringent rules and regulations. It only makes their students turn out better groomed and we can see them flying higher than their contemporaries in various spheres of life. Some of these universities topped the list of institutions with the most employable graduates in vital sectors of the economy in a credible national ranking done some time ago. Therefore, I would like to advise the VC and ACU not to compromise the new rules and regulations until the purpose of promulgating them is achieved and there is a satisfactory change of attitude and orientation.

    I have read a few public commentaries on the issue and I am surprised by their views. They took the matter too lightly, almost blaming the VC for being too worried and concerned about the moral and academic well being of the students in a country where moral decadence and indiscipline is widespread across several higher institutions. But they missed the point. If something is bad, it does not have to be accepted or tolerated because it is common place or happening everywhere. It is the responsibility of right thinking people to stand up and effect a change for the overall good of the society. The educational system will continue to decay if we cannot stand for change because we are afraid of what some people will say.

    One of the commentators even went as far as criticising ACU for spending its resources to make rented hostels befitting and comfortable for its students. There is nothing wrong in the University setting a standard of living environment conducive for learning for its students just as it sets academic and character standards. Perhaps the commentator is not aware that most hostel accommodation across the country built by private developers have poor finishing. The developers are concerned only with the structure so that it does not collapse and put them in trouble. The basic fittings and amenities such as water supply are treated with levity because they know that there will always be a scramble for the few hostels available.

    As for the parents, I have some questions for them. Do they understand the purpose of sending their children and wards to the University to be trained by competent professional educationists? Are they just interested in passing their children through the University simply to acquire paper qualification needed to gain employment in future? Do they want the University to pass through their children and mould them into great men and women of integrity who will also be outstanding professionals in their various fields? Food for thought.

    My advice to the VC is not to terminate personal communication with parents and guardians as he threatened or indicated.  But there is need for the University to streamline this and other modes of communication with them noting that social media platforms of communication are always open to abuse.

    Finally, if my guess is right, majority of the students may be from families who belong to the Anglican Communion and other denominations of the Christian faith. In view of this, it is good for the Anglican Church, proprietors of the University to speak out on this matter and educate parents on what it takes to raise great leaders of tomorrow from our younger generation of today. In these end times, we should not submit our children to the world because we want to be trendy.

     

    • Olamiti is a Fellow of the Nigeria Guild of Editors

  • Bauchi re-run: Absence of Returning Officer delays announcement of result

    Absence of the Returning Officer in charge of Bauchi State gubernatorial election, Prof. Mohammed Kyari, is delaying the announcement of the outcome of the governorship re-run elections in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as at 7am on Sunday, Kyari, who is the  Vice Chancellor of  Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, was yet to arrive Bauchi.

    His absence has caused apprehension among people of the state, who are suspecting some ‘foul play’ , but the state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ibrahim Abdullahi, said there was no cause for alarm.

    Addressing party agents, observers and journalists in the early hours of Sunday, Abdullahi assured that the mandate of the people was  intact.

    Read also: Benue REC confirms attack on INEC convoy

    He said that results from all the 36 polling units in the 15 Local Government Areas where the re-run elections took place, had been received, and that what was left was for the Returning Officer to arrive and announced the outcome.

    Abdullahi said that he had communicated with Mohammed and therefore assured that by today (Sunday), the result would be announced.

    He urged the people of the state to disregard comments on social media that had been insinuating grand plans to change the result.(NAN)

  • ‘We are churning out graduates with high employability’

    The Vice Chancellor, Kola Daisi University, Ibadan, Prof. Kolade Ayorinde, has revealed why the institution is the cheapest private university in Southwest Nigeria.

    Ayorinde disclosed that aside charging between only N411,000 and N491,000 per session depending on courses, and payable in three instalments, the founder, Chief Kola Daisi, also approved reduction of all fees by minimum of N50,000 for all students. He said the reduction totalled N7.1m for 142 students.

    He said: “The founder of the institution has approved the reduction of the fees by all categories of students in the current session by at least N50,000 for all the 143 students in the institution.”

    Ayorinde also disclosed that no private university in the country was making profit, adding that some indigent students are currently on scholarships provided by the institution to allow them access university education.

    He said the institution currently has students from 19 out of 36 states of the federation, adding that the mission of the institution was to nurture graduates with high employability attributes and competencies to help transform Nigeria into global reckoning.

    Ayorinde noted that the university was liaising with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to seek approval for more programmes that will contribute to national development.

     

  • Shun misconduct, VC tells 569 freshers

    Vice-Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University Prof Sam Guobadia, has enjoined newly admitted students of the institution to desist from all forms of misconduct and embrace the virtues of Godliness and excellence.

    Speaking during the institution’s  matriculation, Prof Guobodia urged the new students to be law-abiding and respect their lecturers.

    His words: “I charge you all to make the most of the opportunity afforded you by your parents and guardians. Kindly ensure that you attend classes, shun all forms of deviant behaviours and other vices, and focus on why you are here. At Benson Idahosa University, we have zero tolerance for any form of misconduct, and we do not hesitate to sanction them.”

    Guobadia also admonished the matriculating students to be security-conscious and be wary of the friends they keep.

    “I wish to assure you of adequate security on both campuses of ours. We, however, plead with you not to hesitate to report any suspicious activities to the Dean of Student Affairs, security officers or indeed, any staff of the university for immediate response.”

    He explained that the institution has lived up to expectation since it was established, adding that discipline and academic excellence with Godliness, have been their watch words.

    Guobadia said the university would continue to focus on its core purpose, which is to change Nigeria. This, he said, would be achieved by instilling the vision and mission of the institution in the students.

    He commended the new students and their parents for choosing Benson Idahosa University for their wards to pursue their chosen courses. Nonetheless, he assued that the management of the university would give them the best.

  • NUC okays nine more courses for varsity

    Vice-chancellor, Ondo State University of Science and Technology, (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa,  Prof Sunday Ogunduyile, has announced that the National Universities Commission (NUC), has granted full accreditation to nine additional programmes of the institution.

    The programmes include Biology, Computer Science, Geophysics, Industrial Chemistry, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physics (Interim), Zoology and Fisheries (for Faculty of Agriculture).

    Ogunduyile spoke in Akure, Ondo State capital, on  the achievements recorded under his watch in the last two years.

    He said the accreditation status was granted for the aforementioned programmes on January 17, following an earlier visit to OSCOTECH by NUC accreditation team between October and November last year.

    Ogunduyile lauded the Visitor to the University and Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, for their unwavering commitment to the infrastructural development of the institution, since the present administration came on board. He explained that the institution which once had only one-faculty (Science) since its establishment in 2008, now has Faculty of Engineering comprising departments of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering.

    He said: “Since I came in about two years ago, we have also established the Faculties of Agriculture, Food Science Technology, Agricultural Technology, and Department of Statistics. These translate into more openings for more students to be offered admission. We are not stopping there, we are in the process of establishing Marine Engineering as well as Maritime, Geology and Petroleum and Gas.

    According to him, management realised that one faculty university will not be able to achieve its lofty objectives is  in the areas of exploitation of oil, gas, bitumen, glass, sand, forest, aquatic and other resources that exist in Ondo State.

    He appreciated the government for the construction of major roads into the campus, adding that the governor has also empowered the institution to complete three out of 17 uncompleted buildings on its permanent site.

    Ogunduyile also thanked the institution’s Governing Council led by Prof Akinbo Adesomoju, the entire staff and students for their support and cooperation so far which has greatly assisted the institution to record such numerous successes within the last two years.

    Ogunduyile said within the last two years of his leadership, the number of students admitted into the institution to study different courses has tremendously increased to above 5000 as against less than 1,000 being recorded since 2008.

    He stressed that for the first time since 2008, OSUSTECH has just been enlisted by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFUND), saying that the need assessment group would soon announce the intervention to the university.

    He said the state government has assisted the university on the electrification project with a step down substation in the school for stable electricity.

  • EKSU VC denies arrest over alleged electoral violence

    The Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Prof. Samuel Oye Bandele, has denied being arrested and detained for alleged involvement in electoral malpractice in Saturday’s governorship election.

    Bandele debunked news being circulated in various social media platforms that he was arrested while moving about with suspected thugs to disrupt voting in his hometown, Ijesamodu in Ilejemeje Local Government Area.

    Speaking on Monday during EKSU weekly management meeting, Bandele said he had to come out debunk the allegation because he has been inundated with calls and messages on his phone on the development.

    Read Also:NANS threatens Fayose over prolonged EKSU strike, others

    Bandele stressed that although he was in his hometown to exercise his franchise as a patriotic citizen, he disclosed that he returned to his home after casting his ballot.

    The VC emphasized that he is not a politician and not a member of any political party but added that he was bound to be loyal to the Visitor to the university.

    Bandele also denied mobilizing 10,000 students of the university to deliver votes to a particular political party which he said could not have been possible because there is only one polling unit in the institution with less than 200 registered voters.

    He said: “I, Prof. Samuel Bandele, I am not a politician and I have made it very clear. I am very loyal to my principal and I maintain 100 per cent loyalty to all Visitors.

    “I want to say that all the news being carried on the social media that I am mobilizing 10,000 to come and vote for a political party is a lie.

    “They accused me of moving about with thugs in my village and carrying a ballot box. How will I descend so low to be doing that? They also alleged that I was arrested and taken to the police station from my village.

    “Although I travelled to my village to vote, after voting, I returned to my house and I did not come out again until the election ended.

    “I want to put the record straight that I did not move with any thugs and I did not steal any ballot paper or ballot box. I can never do that because I am a pastor.

    “I was never arrested, anybody that is in doubt that go to the Police to confirm. The news being spread on the social media is not true, it is a lie.

    “I have informed the management of what actually transpired and I have also mentioned it to the Chairman of Governing Council, Mr. Dele Adesina (SAN).”

  • UNILAG VC to Corona pupils: be focused

    Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe has advised graduating pupils of Corona Secondary School in Agbara Ogun State to be focused.

    At the valedictory ceremony for Class of 2018, the trio of Oluwakorede Akande, Salutorian Stephanie Agana and Omobolanle Alashe, were the cynosure as they walked tall among their peers due to their academic performance.

    Prof Ogundipe urged the pupils to be managers of their minds, saying “while distractions may be an impediment to realise one’s potential, they should be focused and shouldn’t allow happenings around them to affect their goals”.

    Speaking on the topic “Nothing but the best”, the scholar attributed the sterling performance and successes recorded by the pupils to perseverance, determination, and commitment to learning.

    Success, he said, is about having a positive impact in your environment. He admonished the pupils to surround themselves with good people.

    He said: “Learn to take small steps and embrace the challenge. You must know that setback would come, but use the stumbling stones to move to the next level.

    “Speak positive things concerning your life, learn to implement ideas coming to your mind, know your purpose and nurse it, start thinking about your career whether you want to be a doctor, engineer, academic etc. Also, increase your level of awareness and exposure, be willing to break new grounds, and learn to take risks.”

    To achieve greater success, Prof Ogundipe said they must leave their comfort zone and make a decision to be solution providers.

    Highlighting what makes great men unique, Ogundipe said “people often say ‘think outside the box’, but when there is no box, you think wider and this makes you a unique being. “Be dedicated to whatever you are doing, practice as much as you can and have mental preparation.  Also, it is important to decide on your success goal, don’t look at others and don’t run another person’s race,”he said.

    The Vice-Chancellor advised the pupils to learn from their mistakes and never give up in life even when they fail or fall.

    “Examine other people’s success and keep on learning because the journey is still very far. Don’t act alone, believe in yourself so that you can fulfill your goal,” he said.

    The school principal, Mrs. Chinedum Oluwadamilola in her speech entitled: “The best is in you”, said she is elated at the amazing accomplishments of the Class of 2018.

    She said: “They gave us an inkling of what to expect by smashing the Standardised Aptitude Test (SAT) last December and went on to give us the best in International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) result in the school to date, where some of them made A*s in all the subjects they wrote. The Class of 2018 ‘humiliated’ Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) with 10pupils scoring above 300, over 75 per cent of them making 250 and above and one scoring the second highest in the country.

    “I will not fail to congratulate this graduating class for being the class that produced the first and only secondary pupils in Nigeria to pass the foundation level of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). The impressive university admissions and mouthwatering scholarships deserve our applause.”

    Mrs Oluwadamilola urged the pupils to be worthy ambassadors of a school and blaze forth like stars that light the night.

    “As agents of transformation, be sure to lead lives worthy of emulation and in all your future endeavours, be guided by truth. Go and accomplish the extraordinary for only the very best is good enough for you,” she said.

    At the end of the ceremony, awards of recognition were given to outstanding pupils while the duo of Anthony Ilobinso and Ademola Adelekan won Outstanding Teachers’ Award of the 2018 set.

    Dignitaries at the event included Chief Executive Officer, Corona School Trust Council, Mrs. Adeyoyin Adesina; Director of Education; Mrs. Amelia Dafeta; Executive Chairman, Agbara/Igbesa Local Council Development Area of Ogun State, Ebenezer Oniyide; representatives of ACCA, Lagos and West,  Abayomi Quassim; Ayoola Ademoye; parents and well-wishers.

  • UNILAG sexual harassment : VC insists victim must show up

    Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, Vice – Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), says conclusive investigation into alleged sexual harassment against a lecturer may not be possible if the victim fails to show up.

    Ogundipe made the clarification in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the 6th Prof. Babatunde Sofoluwe Memorial Lectureon Tuesday in Lagos.

    Ogundipe said the the supposed victim must appear to help the fact-finding committee set up by the management, to carry out proper, balanced and fair investigation.

    “If the lady does not come out, how will the investigation be concluded.

    “You must not hear from one side alone;  you must hear from the two sides and balance the information you have gotten before taking decision and making recommendation”, Ogundipe said .

    He stressed that the university has a standing policy to address such issue and would not compromise the investigation in any way.

    According to him, the investigation committee consists of senior Professors who would not be intimidated by anybody.

    “We have our policy on ground concerning issues relating to the behavior of our students, lecturers to lecturers and lecturers to students and the policy on ground would be properly implemented .

    “When you talk about academic corruption, it is a global issue but the policies to address it too is also on ground .

    ” Anybody that is found culpable will be taken care of by the laid down policies”, he said.

    Also read; Kogi varsity students decry delayed results

    NAN reports that a former female student of English in the university had on May 23, released semi nude pictures of Prof. Segun Awonusi on the social media, accusing him of molesting female students of the department.

    The lady now identified as Joy Uwana graduated from the department in the 2015/2016 session after taking an extra semester.

    She had claimed that harassment of female students in the department was done with the knowledge of other lecturers who kept mute because of the “cult-like” nature of their operations.

    Probe into the allegation commenced on Saturday when the university management constituted a probe panel.

    The panel has already given those with useful information on the matter between June 11 and June 15, to forward it.

    However, the suspect, Awonusi, a former commissioner in Ogun State and one time Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education, Igbesa, denied the allegation, dismissing it as cheap blackmail.

    According to him, the complainant had called him demanding payment of N400, 000 or she would release the nude pictures.

    He also claimed that the pictures were in his phone that was stolen.

  • Vice Chancellor decries invasion of varsity’s land

    Vice Chancellor decries invasion of varsity’s land

    •Says FUTO under siege

    The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Prof. Francis Eze, has said the university is threatened by the activities of land speculators who have invaded its land.

    Prof. Eze lamented that the encroachment on the university land, by unauthorised land grabbers, poses serious danger to lives and property of the management and students, as well as the corporate existence of the institution.

    The VC, who addressed reporters at the Senate Chambers, said the forceful takeover of the institution’s land recently assumed a dangerous dimension with the pulling down of the exit gate and the security house by the invaders.

    He said: “The University duly acquired the land in compliance with laid down procedures, including the full payment of all settlements to the host communities. But the recent encroachment on its land is so overwhelming that you can call it an invasion.”

    Prof. Eze, who conducted reporters round the institution’s boundaries with their host communities of Eziobodo, Iheagwa, Obinze and Avu, warned that “all those patronising land speculators, buying FUTO’s land and building on them, will lose their money as the buildings will be demolished.

    “We have started the perimeter fencing of the university, at a huge cost, just to protect the land.

    “Last time, some people brought heavy equipment and pulled down our gate house. It is that bad but we will no longer allow that. All those buying and building on FUTO land are doing so at their own risk,” the VC added.