By Ikenna Nwokedi
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professor Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu, FAMedS has stated that his administration’s focus would be hinged on the ‘HPS Squared Philosophy’ which translates to ‘Happy Productive Staff’ and ‘Happy Progressive Students’.
Prof. Ikechebelu made these assertions at the weekend while fielding questions from journalists upon assumption of duty as the Chief overseer of administrative and academic activities in the University.
The Ag. VC stressed that for an educational institution to attain it set goal of achieving academic excellence, institutional growth and development; the staff performance is paramount and a very key aspect in attaining success stories. He informed that staff welfare through administrative promotions as and when due, professional training and retraining of staff members and other incentives are instrumental to the course as seen in the past administration under the outgone Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone.
Prof. Ikechebelu also informed that there would be seamless transition from the point of admission to graduation and collection of transcript for students of the institution. The scholar revealed that with the launching of Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled University portal, undue long delays of Students’ results after examinations would soon become a thing of the past.
The scholar further outlined his vision for the University which he said would focus on five-short term goals such as Beautifying UNIZIK, Light-up UNIZIK, Excellent UNIZIK, Digitize UNIZIK and Secure UNIZIK aimed at enhancing the University’s ambiance, infrastructure and academic excellence.
Prof. Ikechebelu, a renown fertility expert who majors in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, assumed duty as Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK on Tuesday, 4th of June 2024 after a formal handover ceremony from the sixth substantive Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles O. Esimone, FAS.
That’s a right step. However , I will like to add as advice and suggestion that the vice chancellor should try and employ persons whose work should be computing student’s results so that within a month of one’s final exam, the degree results will be ready, certificate ready and transcript also ready. When all these are ready, the university will be able to organize convocation for the graduating students within a month or two of their final papers, give them their results, and transcripts. This is the the practice overseas. With this practice, NAU will be number one university in Africa.
I also look forward where the vice chancellor would apart from building e-campus (digitizing unizik from the gates to the offices and around the campus and ensuring 24/7internet availability wherever one may be on campus, that may be reinforcement for research and transmission of information from one office to another, lessoning the analog way of carrying mails. 24hour power supply, will help the security personnel in monitoring CCTV cameras around the campus if installed. I will also suggest that waters on campus be collected and form artificial lake for water supply on campus. The lake is part of beautification and tourist attraction. We should create a forest where wide animals should be given a home. Unizik is also is due for standard stadium. If possible, that may be giving the university money as anambra state does not have one.
Too nany things to do but it takes determination and collective efforts. If the vc could invite investors to build at least 7storey high buildings for staff and students on partnership basis, NAU staff and students will start to experience real campus life and such will improve productivity because workers comi g from far, because of dearth and high cost of rented apartments in awka, will love to live inside campus which also will guarantee their security, because once all these are in the campus, super markets and stalls will begin to emerge on the campus.
I pray that the Acting VC may see my suggestions as something that nay place him next to Professor Ilochi Okafor in the ranking of Vice Chancellors of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.