The Vice-Chancellor, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Prof. Sunday Elom has inaugurated a Committee to review the University’s Academic Brief, which had run its full course of 10 years.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the Vice-Chancellor’s conference room, the Director, Quality Assurance & Database Management, Dr. Lawrence Ogugua said the University’s Academic Brief had run its full course, and needed to be reviewed as directed by the Presidential Visitation Panel in 2021, adding that the academic brief is a document that encompasses the roadmap on academic programmes’ development in a University.
Presenting the members of the Committee drawn from different faculties, directorates and units to the Vice-Chancellor, Ogugua noted that they were nominated by their respective heads, based on their pedigree of commitment, hard work and results-oriented outputs, noting that the assignment is enormous and technical in nature, requiring their total commitment and time.
He further thanked the University Management for the confidence reposed in the members and also solicited the support of the Vice-Chancellor as may be required in the course of the assignment.
While inaugurating the Committee, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Elom, said the assignment was a serious one, and that members of the committee were fortunate to be part of history in the University. He added that the academic brief is one of the major statutory documents of a University and the contents determine the focus of a University.
He pointed out that the University system is complex, and every department/ academic programme is expected to enjoy a level of autonomy but the degree of autonomy that is allowed in the programme if not well managed could be a major source of crisis , which may lead to the struggle for resources and physical facilities. He stressed that the academic brief is important as it is a working document that streamlines the academic operations of a University.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof Abel Ezeoha, the Vice-Chancellor also stated that the primary function of a University is teaching, research and community service, noting that these are reflected in the roles of the University in each of its programmes.
He further said that the review was coming at the right time when the National Universities Commission (NUC) has directed universities to transit from Basic Minimum Academic Standard (BMAS) to Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) in their academic activities. He also noted that the essence of the transition is to infuse some level of technical knowhow and hands-on experience into all academic programmes, so that when students graduate, they can be self-reliant or employable.
He rounded off his speech by assuring the Committee of the Vice-Chancellor’s support and commitment to the success and speedy completion of their assignment.
