By Sam Akadoro - Sapele
“WDU is proud that all the programmes currently running in the university are fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).”
Western Delta University
This was the statement of the Vice Chancellor of the Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State, Prof. Peter G. Hugo, when the institution rolled out the drums during the matriculation of fresh undergraduates into various programmes at the university.
The matriculation ceremony, which was held at the permanent site of the university, was a success by all standards. The matriculants, their parents and guardians were elated with the assurance that the university has not experienced any breakdown academic calendar after seven years. They expressed joy that graduation has always been according to the university calendar.
The vice chancellor, in his speech, said that the university came on stream in April 2008 with 149 students drawn from 23 states of the federation, adding that today the university has produced three sets of graduates without disruption in its academic calendar. He added that respect for academic calendar is one of the unique hallmarks of private universities, adding that students graduate as and when due, though personal effort matters.
The Vice Chancellor noted that with emergence of private universities in the country in the last 20 years, with over 109 universities in the country, candidates and guardians face difficulties in making a choice of the university to attend or to send their wards. He noted that the choice by students and parents/guardians depends on whether the university is approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC), and whether the programmes are accredited by NUC, and whether the university is situated in an easily accessible location, if possible close to home, what are the facilities for learning and recreation like, how competitive are the school fees, are they within the salary range of the middle class salary earners, whether the academic culture is strong, vibrant or passive, what are the aspirations of the university are, where does it want to be in the next year, two years, five years etc. And what is the degree of anti-social activities such as cultism, sexual harassment, money or sex for grades, violence etc like in the universities?
The Vice Chancellor in tackling the above observations stated,
‘’All these are very pertinent questions begging for answers for parents and candidates seeking admission and need to be properly guided. My dear matriculants, parents and guardians here present, it will be quite impossible for me to expatiate one by one on all these questions raised above, instead I will talk in general terms with some measures of emphasis on those on which WDU stands tall amongst most of its contemporaries.”
He stated that whether public or private, the process of developing a new university is subject to very vigorous scrutiny by a panel of experts raised by the NUC, adding that the panel submits its report of findings to NUC, which in turn submits to the Federal Executive Council for approval.
He informed that the WDU is a Federal Executive Council approved institution. He noted that four core imperatives are critical to obtaining full accreditation for a programme, noting that the library must be well stocked with text books and journals relevant to the programme and must be current. He said every programme is expected to hosted by no less than six academic staff one of which should be a professor, associate professor, senior lecturer as well as supporting staff. “There must be adequate support laboratory and administrative input, curriculum and this must be clearly written, relevant to the programme and where possible the philosophy and aims of the programme should be captured in developing the curricula,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor pointed out that to attain full accreditation status, all these critical parameters and others must have a score of 70 per cent and above, adding that if one failed to obtain 70 per cent, a return of status is awarded even if all others scored above 70 per cent.
He said that he was happy to inform the students, parents and guardians that WDU is proud that all the programmes currently running in the university are fully accredited by NUC.
He stated further that WDU has audacity of action where other universities, “fear to tread”.
He added the institution has fared well in competitions like computer programming, debating and even cooking competitions, adding that WDU was adjudged to be most campus security conscious in 2011 at the conference of heads of university security. He said that in 2013, WDU emerged overall second in a highly contested National Private Universities Debate (NIPUD), held in Babcock University, stating that WDU beat such notable universities as Igbinedion, Achievers and narrowly lost to Babcock. He said WDU despite its “youthfulness” does not shy away from taking on “ giants” and standing shoulders to shoulders with them, “WDU is truly bold and audacious”, he said.
On the cost of university education at WDU, the Vice Chancellor informed that, “with regards to private universities, the size and structure of school fees payment should be a major factor in deciding which one to send your child or ward”. He said that at WDU the fees are competitive in relation to what one finds in other universities, the pointing out that for the past seven years, school fees has not been increased, adding that even if fees will be increased, it will be minimal and not a hike.
The Vice Chancellor stated that aspiration drives efforts and subsequent attainments and that excellence is the ultimate outcome focused hard work driven by passion to. He said that at WDU the passion to move to the higher level has been the driving force of management actions. He said that after seven years the Institute of Delta Studies with a full time Director has been established.
While advising the matriculants, the Vice Chancellor stated that they had made a covenant with the university to obey the rules and regulations and uphold the dignity and sanctity of the university now and forever, even when they had graduated and left.
“As bona fide students, you are entitled to all the rights and privileges of the school. You are expected to attend all your lectures, free to use the library, sports and health facilities, hostel where applicable and cafeteria, without hindrance but in accordance with the simple rules and regulations governing the use”, Hugo said.
Most importantly, he advised that failure to meet at least 75 per cent attendance disqualifies a student from the relevant examinations. He said the condition was set by the Senate and not even the Vice Chancellor has the power to vitiate what the Senate has put in place. “Senate is the supreme authority on academic matters and bear this in mind and attend your lecturers regularly,” he said.
On the school fees payment, the Vice Chancellor informed student that failure to pay will affect their lectures, prevent them from entering examination halls.
He noted that WDU school fees are a fraction of what it takes to train them, adding that some persons are largely subsidising their education at the WDU and these are the patriots of the nation.
He noted that as they are in the WDU to seek knowledge for “my people perish for lack of knowledge,” they must pay particular attention to their studies, “do not waste the opportunity; do not be tempted to engage in anti-social activities especially, cultism”, he said.
He said that cultism is enemy of students’ progress, “it is evil, it is demonic, WDU is a disciplined university, it does not encourage hooliganism of any sort and not to throw away the baby with the bath water, we do imbibe the culture that sweat, hard work never kills nor does it even hurt,” he told the students.
Quoting William Shakespeare, he said “There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so,” ‘and so think good and you will reap good reward success, think bad and you will reap badness, failure. And so dear students, think good at all times and God will surely see you through’.
In an interview with journalists, the registrar of the university, Godwin Egbri, “we are holding the 7th matriculation ceremony, meaning that we are coming of age because we have graduated three sets and this year we will graduate the fourth set. We are also set to begin new programmes, we presently have 15 that are fully accredited by National Universities Commission (NUC). We succeeded in the matriculation due to God’s favour, as we judiciously managed the available resources. We are happy to announce to students, parents, guardians and the general public, that we have till 2017 to face the accreditation hurdles”.
The registrar pointed out that with such success in the accreditation showed that the WDU is in top gear, adding that the full accreditation attained by the WDU was helping them to manage the university.
The registrar noted that remuneration at the university is structured after the best public university in the country, stating that WDU fees are affordable to the average Nigerian.
He informed that fees with wish they started in 2007/2009 session are what they are still charging. He said the highest fee is N400,000 in the Department of Geological and Petroleum Studies, adding that this includes hostel accommodation. Other fees, he said hover between N350,000 to N370,000, all per annum
He informed that that the Academic Planning and Policy Committee was working on the new courses to be introduced at WDU, adding that the committee will report to the Senate and it it will in turn send to the NUC for approval.
On security and community relations issues, he said that His Royal Majesty Esemitan Uku Ogharaname, the Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, “has the university at heart and has been helpful when we have security challenges”.
On massive award of first class degrees by some universities, the registrar agreed that some universities are practising ‘cash and carry’ method of awarding first class degrees, informing that WDU does not subscribe to that, adding that they had graduated three sets of students and it was only in the current session the university graduated two students with first class degrees, “who we believe can defend the class of degrees and give WDU good image”, he said.
The registrar said,“I advise prospective students, parents, guardians to access the university and the subsidised and two time payment is allowed to enable Deltans in particular and Nigerians to have access to the programmes in the WDU.
Among the academics, who participated in the programme were Hugo, Egbri, C.C Ifebuzor deputy university librarian, Prof S. Mebradu Dean of Natural and Applied Sciences, Prof Fred Opute, Head of Microbiology and Biotechnology, P.A. Ako, head of Basic and Industrial Chemistry, Uzezi Isiosio, coordinator Biochemistry, Prof E.O. Okeke, head, Mathematics and Computer Science. Dr. Jackson Akpojaro, coordinator, Computer Science Option, Prof Felix Adidu, head, Management Sciences, Prof G.E. Oleze, head, Physics and Energy Studies, Dr.Namdi, acting head, Political Science, Dr. Bayejo Adefuye, head, Sociology Department Others were Prof Daniel Omoweh, director, Institute of Delta Studies, Dr. J.E. Oghotomo, principal, Academic Planning Office, M.O. Osemede, deputy registrar (Academics) and others.