TOWARDS A MORE VIBRANT COLLEGE OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES IN EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI
Outline Introduction Structure of the college General structure of the postgraduate programmes Challenges Recommendations
Introduction The CGPS is the hub of research in EKSU and therefore occupies a strategic position in the realization of the vision of the University which is to The University started its first Postgraduate Programme in It started with Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) and Master of Education (M.ED) in Guidance and Counselling (both in the Faculty of Education). Today, all Faculties except those in College of Medicine run Postgraduate Studies.
R ESEARCH, R ANKING AND E NTREPRENEURIAL U NIVERSITIES Times Higher Education RankingQaucquarelli Symonds (QS) Ranking 1.Teaching- the learning environment (worth 30% of the overall ranking score) 2.Research- volume, income and reputation (worth 30%) 3.Citations- research influence (worth 30%) 4.Industry Income- Innovation (worth 2.5%) 5.International Outlook-Staff, students and research (worth 7.5%) 1.Academic Reputation (40%) - Survey of schools currently producing the best research in their fields of expertise 2.Employer Reputation, 10% 3.Faculty/Student ratio, 20% 4.Citations per Faculty, 20%. Citations are based on quality research publications in internationally indexed journals. 5.International Faculty Ratio, 5% 6.International Student Ratio, 5% Research predominant parameter accounts for 60%. Parameters 1 and 4, based on research, account for 50%. Research Output critical index for global rating and ranking of universities measured in terms of research budget and grants, number of contract research, patents, licenses, academic publications in globally rated indexed academic journals. No Nigerian University had DVC Research before 2011 as is global best practice
Structure of the College
Academic and Research Committee (ARC) The functions are to consider and recommend: I. registration of theses’ titles to the Board of the CGPS. II. examination related matters to the CGPS. III. approval of new programmes as well as modification of existing ones to the Board of the CGPS IV. appointment of Internal and External Examiners to the Board of the CGPS. V. all such other matters that may be referred to it by the Board of the CGPS. The Committee meets at least, twice in a month to carry out its functions
Admissions and Scholarship Committee (ASC) The functions of the ASC are to consider and recommend: I. admission from various Faculty Postgraduate Committees. II. award of Postgraduate Fellowships to deserving students. III. on all other matters that the Board may refer to it for consideration.
General Structure of Postgraduate Programmes
Challenges on Admission and Registration I. Admission forms process II. Inability to log into the University Portal to register III. Inability of students to pay school fees as and when due
Challenges on Processing of Results and Examiners’ Reports I. Conduct of Examinations by various Faculties/Departments at variance with of the approved Academic Calendar. II. Late/Non submission of results by Lecturers and Departments. III. Delay in payment to adjunct lecturers. IV. Lack of proper documentation at the Departments and College is another issue.
Challenges on Timely Completion of Programmes I. Delay in the registration of theses titles (This has been minimized in recent times) II. It takes minimum of four weeks between the dates the theses are dispatched to External Examiners before examinations could be conducted. III. Institutional problems – industrial actions, closure of University due to students unrest IV. Delays may come from supervisors who do not read/correct their students’ theses in time V. Attitudes of students to their research works. Many students don’t fill the necessary forms of registration on annual basis
Challenges on Quality Assurance/Standard I. Lack of standard/uniform format for writing thesis among Faculties/Department II. Some Departments running Postgraduate Programmes do not adhere to the course contents such as presentation of compulsory seminars Others include: Paucity of Fund and Lack of Sufficient Staff
RECOMMENDATIONS (a) Funding I. Implementation of the recommendations by committee on restructuring of the College that 5% of fees paid by PG students should be ploughed back to the college. ii.Laboratories and other facilities should be made available to the departments running postgraduate programmes.
R ECOMMENDATION C ONT … (b) Admission and Registration I. The college should have an independent portal for online registration. II. Full online system of application and registration should be deployed. III. Students screening (after payment of acceptance fees) must commence from the Department. IV. Successful applicants should be notified via mail/text/phone call on their admission and recommendation V. Admissions could be on semester basis
R ECOMMENDATION CONT … (c) Processing of Results and Examiners’ Reports I. Faculties and Departments should process results promptly II. Results should be given special priority at the Committee of CPGS Board. III. Examination Results must be presented to the appropriate Committee of CPGS on semester basis.
R ECOMMENDATION CONT … (d)Registration of Thesis Titles I. Minimum of 2 weeks for examination of thesis after receipt of such by the External Examiners. II. To insulate the PG Programmes from industrial actions III. Publish a separate book for rules and regulations guiding the PG school IV. A form to show the various stages of academic activities in the course of postgraduate education V. Agreed timeline for the presentation of Registration of thesis title
R ECOMMENDATION C ONT … (e) Quality Assurance/Standard I. Introduction of log book to monitor students’ activities. II. There should be an agreed format on thesis writing and outline of chapters. III. Students must present at least two or three seminar papers before the completion of their programmes. IV. Defence of research proposal and post field must be given wide publicity. V. Workshops on how to apply for Research Grants should organized on annual basis. VI. Students should be encouraged to test the level of plagiarism of their theses. VII. Publication of at least, one paper from a PhD thesis in a reputable, non-predatory journal before the final defence may also be encouraged VIII. Postgraduate students should be encouraged to attend academic conferences. Senate recently approved Annual Awards for the best three theses that meet certain criteria on Faculty basis. This should motivate students to endeavor to write good quality theses and supervisors to
R ECOMMENDATION C ONT … (f) Staffing I. Administrative divisions namely Academic and Research Division and Admissions and Scholarship Division be created II. Sufficient staff to assist the College in its day to day activities should be deployed e.g a representative of the ICT unit is needed to facilitate the computerization of the activities of the College III. Lecturers of professional programmes should be adequately remunerated. IV. Outstanding Honoraria of adjunct lecturers should be paid. V. The Minimum requirement of academic staff for each programme in line with the BMAS should be employed.
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