By Ikenna Nwokedi
The Sandwich Unit, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka on Tuesday, 30th July 2024 held her one-day orientation programme for new Sandwich students for the 2023-2024 academic session.
The orientation programme held at the Auditorium of the Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (COCES) was designed to enlighten and educate the fresh students about the Sandwich programme and processes that will ensure they will be in good academic standing in order to graduate with good grades.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the occasion and Special Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor (SAVC) on Academic Matters, Prof. Frederick Odibo eulogized the sandwich unit for holding the orientation program aimed at inundating the new students about the unit, academic program and what is expected of them in course of their academic exercise. Prof. Odibo who was represented by the Director of COCES, Prof. Ada Sam-Omenyi informed that the certificate awarded in the aftermath of graduation is same as that of those of the undergraduate and CEP programmes, he admonished them to work hard in order to graduate with good grades.
Declaring the event open during her address, UNIZIK Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi congratulated the new sandwich students on gaining admission into the University which is one of the most sought after in the federation. The Vice-Chancellor who was ably represented by the Director of the COCES, Prof. Sam-Omenyi disclosed that sandwich students as bonafide students of the University will be exposed to the same curricula in their various disciplines and bound by the same regulations as the regular full-time students.
The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that the format of the certificate issued to regular and sandwich graduates are same for both programmes. She highlighted the responsibility of students as payment of fees, attendance to lectures and eschewing negative practices such as examination misconduct, certificate forgery and cultism.
In his address, the Director of NAU-Sandwich Programme, Professor Constance Okoli stated that the programme was created to satisfy the knowledge and skill acquisition yearnings of many Nigerians who are without the opportunity to attend regular university program of education. Prof. Okoli informed that owing to the scientific and technological advancement, the unit has adopted the hybrid programme (online and physical interaction) to avoid future disruptions of academic activities as experienced during the COVID-19 era.
The Sandwich Unit Director also stated that the day’s event is to orient the new students on activities, policies and regulations of the University and further train the old ones on the technicalities of online learning and timely response on Sandwich programme. The scholar affirmed that at the end of the technical session with trainings on online learning, the sandwich students will improve their performance in online learning and examinations through knowledge and skill acquisition in its technicalities and ethics.
Speaking on the ‘Use of University Library”, delivered by the University Librarian, Prof. Stella Ngozi Anasi informed that the orientation programme was designed to give the new students the necessary orientation that will help them to excel in their academic endeavour. Prof. Anasi stated that the University Digital Library is open for the sandwich students to access academic materials with the criteria of accessing the Library being payment of the school fees.
In his lecture titled ‘Students’ Affairs and Behaviour’ by the Dean of Student Affairs, Engr. Professor Chinonso Achebe emphasized that the Student Affairs Department is established to attend to the welfare of the students of the institution.
Prof. Achebe who was represented by the Sub-Dean, Dr. Chinedu Mbalisi emphasized on time management, attendance to lectures and the need to shun any form of examination misconduct so that there academic sojourn would not be truncated. He also admonished them to ensure they lodge their complaints at the office of the student affairs for answers to their challenges.
In a vote of thanks by one of the students and class representative of the Department of Human Kinetics and Sports Science, Emeka Anyigor stated that the Orientation programme has enlightened them on what is needed to ensure they have a good stay in the institution. He thanked the Sandwich Unit management and the institution at large for the opportunity while praying for God’s favour in the course of their academic pursuit.
On her part, the Deputy Director of Sandwich Unit, Dr. Juliana Akuezeilo in her vote of thanks eulogized the management of the institution for the opportunity to serve and for the support in organizing the programme. The scholar promised the students that the Sandwich Unit is poised in ensuring that their quest for academic excellence will be achieved in the course of their stay in the institution.
Other lectures delivered by members of the University Management and principal officers of the institution were on Financial Guidelines for Students delivered by the University Bursar, Mr. Gozie Egwatu represented by the Deputy Bursar, Mrs Ebele Okeke; The Essence of Entrepreneurship delivered by the Deputy Director I of COCES, Prof. Ugochukwu Okonkwo and Security Issues in and around the University by the Chief Safety Officer, Chief Ken Chukwurah.
There was also technical session with lectures on “Curriculum and Timely Response in Sandwich Programme” delivered by the Deputy Director of the Academic Planning Unit, Dr. Ifeanyi Nzekwe and “Technicalities in Online Learning and Timely Response in Sandwich Programme” by Mr. Arinze Ani.
Other highlights of the orientation programme was interaction with the students and staff in form of a question and answer session as well as group photograph.
