Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University who sat for their general courses exams in the 2014/2015 academic session will surely not forget Rev'd Fr. Prof. Josephat Obi Oguejiofor and Dr. Bakky Adirika in a haste. Asides been great academicians in their divergent fields, they were able to integrate the technology of the 21st century in line with global best practices into a system that was hitherto, characterized by cardboard paper I.D cards and manual examination procedures. If there's anything I love about the administration of Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, it is the fact that he expertly drops square pegs in square holes and round pegs in round holes. The students of this great institution experienced lots of positive changes in the way things have been done in this system and as the students P.R.O, I hold it in trust for them to state the facts as I see it.
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| Fr.Prof. Josephat Obi Oguejiofor |
When I interviewed Dr. Bakky Adirika in her office, I saw the determination of an educationist and the love of a mother at work. First, fixing the interview was just a matter of a single phone call. In the past, getting interviews with some officials in high places is always difficulty and would make you imagine if seeing someone is like this, how will heaven be. But in her case, she promptly granted me audience and set out to answer all my questions with clarity and a high level of professional efficiency. For the first time in the history of General Studies in UNIZIK, students did their registration online and this drastically controlled the level of impersonation that had characterized the system long before now. On that, Dr. Adirika posited that when the idea was conceived, Fr.Prof. Josephat Obi Oguejiofor accented to it and plans were put in place to make it a reality. In her words, "it was like two minds moving towards the same direction." When the idea was sold to the Vice Chancellor, he happily approved of it knowing full well that the new data to be generated is going to help out in making UNIZIK not just a university of the moment, but a university of the future.
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| Dr. Bakky Adirika |
On a personal note, I believe Nnamdi Azikiwe University has come a long way in the training of individuals for our society at present. But with the latest ideas brewed and being put in place at our School of General Studies which is always the first port of call for all students, we are gradually training individuals not just for today but for the future. If the faculties and departments can develop a similar style of operation like the S.G.S and even go ahead to upgrade their digital libraries, I believe we will be better equipped to face the larger society on graduation.
The latest on ground now is that for the first time in the history of this great institution, our students will be writing their exams in a CBT(computer based test) format. Speaking on the matter, Dr. Bakky Adirika poured accolades on the Director of the School of General Studies Rev'd Fr. Prof. J. Obi Oguejiofor as being the person who is always ready to improve the academic standards of the students and make them more pro-active in a digitalized 21st century. She stated in clear terms that the positive results we are seeing and enjoying today because we get our results on our phone and receive other goodies is a result of the sacrifice and dedication to the better training of the students which is the bedrock on which the school is working. Conducting CBT exams will consume more resources to keep the computers working round the clock and providing electricity for the exam centre in case of power outage. But the sacrifice and expenses is worth it because it is going to reduce the level of malpractice experienced in examinations and it will also boast the confidence of students when they know that whatever they write, that's what they'll get.
The opportunities being opened up by the School of General Studies is one that will aid the departments to improve on their standards as well. If all digital libraries of the departments are well equipped and they function optimally, students will be more engaged in sharing ideas that will make the society better. Dr. Adirika captured it in very clear terms; "The mission of the Director and myself as the deputy director here in the S.G.S is to produce graduates who will be worthy of the certificate they possess. If we are able to achieve some level of progress within the short time we have here, the departments can take it up from there."
And it makes sense that the students are excited about the whole package and are even expecting more like Oliver Twist. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku is one administrator who is always ready for the next big thing. Hence the S.G.S have keyed into the plan of the next big thing and are making the process of registration and examination of students more efficient. We can only say thank you and expect more.
The latest on ground now is that for the first time in the history of this great institution, our students will be writing their exams in a CBT(computer based test) format. Speaking on the matter, Dr. Bakky Adirika poured accolades on the Director of the School of General Studies Rev'd Fr. Prof. J. Obi Oguejiofor as being the person who is always ready to improve the academic standards of the students and make them more pro-active in a digitalized 21st century. She stated in clear terms that the positive results we are seeing and enjoying today because we get our results on our phone and receive other goodies is a result of the sacrifice and dedication to the better training of the students which is the bedrock on which the school is working. Conducting CBT exams will consume more resources to keep the computers working round the clock and providing electricity for the exam centre in case of power outage. But the sacrifice and expenses is worth it because it is going to reduce the level of malpractice experienced in examinations and it will also boast the confidence of students when they know that whatever they write, that's what they'll get.
The opportunities being opened up by the School of General Studies is one that will aid the departments to improve on their standards as well. If all digital libraries of the departments are well equipped and they function optimally, students will be more engaged in sharing ideas that will make the society better. Dr. Adirika captured it in very clear terms; "The mission of the Director and myself as the deputy director here in the S.G.S is to produce graduates who will be worthy of the certificate they possess. If we are able to achieve some level of progress within the short time we have here, the departments can take it up from there."
And it makes sense that the students are excited about the whole package and are even expecting more like Oliver Twist. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku is one administrator who is always ready for the next big thing. Hence the S.G.S have keyed into the plan of the next big thing and are making the process of registration and examination of students more efficient. We can only say thank you and expect more.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University School of General Studies is a busy one and I believe they deserve all the space they require to function very well. With the huge number of students who sit for general exams every year and with the new CBT introduced into the system, it is only natural that plans should be put in place for a full building for the School of General Studies. This will help in streamlining so many deficiencies and also make it easier to conduct exams for the students within the building of the school. Asides this, it can also serve as a fresh orientation ground for our students as an insight into what they'll experience while studying at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
Finally, while thanking Rev'd. Fr. Prof. J. Obi Oguejiofor and Dr. Bakky N. Adirika for being visionary academicians dedicated to making students more efficient in the 21st century, we pray and hope that this new trend of positive developments that they brought into the School of General Studies will be sustained long after they've left office. It is my singular wish that we get better and improve on the learning standards we have at present because it is only then that our predecessors will accent to the fact that "Nke di na iru ka" (the one in front/future is better).
Till we get to the Promised Land, I shall be waiting for when you will pass me a glass of water and thank God for the gift of grace for the race.
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| Martin Beck Nworah. Public Relations Officer, Students Union Government, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. |
Beautifully written. Congrats to you guys.
ReplyDeleteThe audacity of hope..... Thumbs up to them!
ReplyDeleteMartin Beck Nworah will never cease to amaze with his writing skills. I am feeling his impact already. Keep it up SGS.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the Rev Prof and Madam Adirika. They are doing very well.
ReplyDeleteCBT? mehn na reading tinz ooooooo
ReplyDeletehahahahaha
DeleteI pray this progress is sustained. that's the most important. Congrats to them.
ReplyDeletehmmmm...my alma mater is growing oooooooo. Thank God.
ReplyDeleteThe director and his deputy are great minds. I have known them long before they were appointed. I expected nothing less. Congratulations to them as they continue to impact positively on their students.
ReplyDelete