By Sam Akadoro / Special Correspondent, Sapele
Bridging communication gaps in groups, organizations, institutions and in interpersonal relationships is one sure method of building confidence and trust in the system of management and individual relationships.
The Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State, is one of the private universities that is conscious of the importance of bridging communication gaps in an institution. The university against all odds is standing shoulder to shoulder with the best private universities in Nigeria. It boasts of having all its academic programmes accredited and it is crisis-free, making it to have a smooth and uninterrupted academic session.
When the university rolled out the red carpet for the parents and guardians of the institution’s undergraduates, it simply vindicated its position as one of the progressive private universities in Nigeria.
It was, therefore, not surprising that when the erudite and humble Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Peter Hugbo, mounted the rostrum to welcome the parents and guardians to the university, he did not miss the point of letting the parents and guardians know that there is the need for symbiotic relationship between the university and the parents and guardians.
In his speech, Hugbo stated, “It is a great honour that you were able to respond to our invitation for this meeting; a meeting which gives us the opportunity to honestly rub minds together on the way forward for young boys and girls you have placed under our watch for when we stand loco-in-parents”. Hugbo raised some issues before the parents and guardians like, do you children report promptly to school at the end of the holidays? Do these students, your children always attend lectures regularly; do they pay school fees that are handed over to them by you for payment? Are they taking their lecturers with seriousness and zeal? Do they engage in examination malpractices when the time of examination comes? Do they engage in drug taking, e.g. smoking of Indian hemp? Are they involved in cultism and other forms of violent crimes, willful damage to University property? Do they always register their course on time?
Speaking further, Hugbo said, “In line with the vision of this University, we are committed to producing the total graduate, someone imbued with sound knowledge and skills and then wrapped in moral discipline, able to stand out in the crowd and proclaim, I am a product of Western Delta University, in our effort to do so, we do not expect less from our students, they must be the graduate that Nigeria needs in particular and the world at large.”
In explaining the student’s attitude to learning, Hugbo said that the manner or behavior of a person towards a specific situation or cause and it can be positive or negative in outcome. He added that attitude helps to define whether one succeeds or fails in an endeavor pointing out that a positive attitude propels and drives the individual towards attaining his/her ambition and when this is taken with persistence and determination, invariably a desired goal is attained.
Hugbo noted that it hurts him sorely to report to the parents and guardian that many of their children especially the male students have very negative attitudes to learning ad this is one of the greatest challenges saying, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” They must change their lukewarm attitudes and someone once said, “Stubbornness and unwillingness to change is the enemies of fools.” He said that though the University manager are the students’ parents from they need the understanding, cooperation and support to pull them back to the right track, we need to readjust their mindsets.
In choosing the university to send their wards to, Hugbo posed the following questions, is the university approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC)? Are the programmes being mounted by the university approved by the National University Commission? Are the programme accredited by the National University Commission? Does the university situate in or within easily accessible location? What are the facilities for learning and recreation like? If it’s a private university, how competitive are the school fees; are the school fees within the salary bracket of the middle-class wage earner? What is the culture of academic pursuit like, strong, violent or passive? What are the aspirations of the university i.e. where does it want to be in next 5, 10 or more years from now? Is the university pervaded by anti-social activities such as cultism, sexual harassment, money or sex for grade etc.? Hugbo concluded that, “When you have faithfully analyzed these questions, I am sure you will be convinced that Western Delta University stands out as your university of first choice.” The registrar of the university, Mr. Godwin Egbri, in his presentation, said though they started on an empty ground, they have weathered the storm and have graduated three sets and the fourth set would be graduating in August. He said that the National University Commission (NUC0 approved 16 programmes to operate for three years, adding that after the third year, they would come for programme accreditation, third year, they would come for programme accreditation, announcing that so far, all their programmes are fully accredited. He alluded to some universities that are older than WDU that have not graduated students. He informed that parents and guardians that the university’s first convocation had the governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, awarding two scholarships worth N5 million each to the two best graduating students in the university.
Egbri advised the parents and guardians not only to pay their children school fees but also to monitor them, adding that some students pretend to be good at home but change their character when they leave home. He said that some student manipulate their school fees, get extra money, and leave the hostel to rent apartments outside the university’s hostel where they are not monitored.
On the part of the chief security officer (CSO) of the university, Mr. Collins Ogbeta, said that too much money in the hands of the students make them over indulge in ostentatious life. He said the use of expensive cars by students attract them to robbers, kidnappers and other criminals, adding that parents and guardians should discourage their wards from living outside the university hostel.
The climax of the occasion was the appointment of the executive of the Parent/Guardian Forum. They are Chief Ogbemure M. Imene, chairman; Mr. Odeh R A., vice chairman; Mr. Ediae A. Solomon (KSM), General Secretary; Mrs. O. Lillian Igbinobaro, treasurer; Mrs. Omoh Agunu Beauty, welfare officer; Mr. Festus Omughele, financial secretary. Others are Pastor Eric Joseph Efe, assistant financial secretary; Mrs. Blessing Edafeadhe, public relations officer and Emperor Penda Odubu, project officer.
The chairman, in his speech, said he and his team would do all within power to move the forum to a great height that would be the envy of others. He also promised to donate ceilings and table fans to the university.
The post WDU: Bridging the gap between town and gown appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.