Recommendations on Research and Postgraduate Programmes

1. RESEARCH

Recommendations on Research. Building and equipping a modern central laboratory with state of the arts equipment; Building and equipping of departmental laboratories; Ensuring that capacity to maintain the state of the art equipment is developed e.g. through enhanced training of technical staff and users; University should levy all students (undergraduates & Postgraduates) the sum of Five Thousand naira (N5000) per session as Research Development Fund (RDF) to fund Senate Research Grant, EKSU research grants, EKSUORD Development Grants and Journal Article Award

Recommendations on Research Contd. Subscribing to relevant databases (e.g. Research Africa); University Promotion Criteria should now emphasize publishing of articles in Journals with impact factor and avoid publishing in Predatory Journals Supporting platforms for staff and students to disseminate research outputs e.g. annual Research Fair; University should encourage Alumni to endow chairs in various departments.

Recommendations on Research Contd. Supporting “Journal Article Award” to reward articles published in highly reputable international journals with high impact factor; University working with researchers to commercialize research output where appropriate; Supporting academic and technical staff to attend skills enhancement courses locally and internationally; Providing training in the management and practice of research to enable staff continue the development of their research capabilities

Recommendations on Research Contd. Provide a functional campus wide Internet facility; Establishing a robust University website to improve information flow Establishment of functional E-library. Establishing new mechanisms for partnering with industry and the public and third sectors for the University to become a preferred source of advice, information and consultancy

Recommendations on Improving output of Present ORD Contd. The five units at ORD need to be coordinated by one academic member of staff each for better productivity ORD needs two competent Computer Analysts as supporting staff to service the five units. ORD needs ICT Technician, Electrical/Mechanical Technician and Office Assistant. ORD deserves a befitting research complex comprising of training rooms, offices, exhibition rooms, workshops and a Conference hall.

2. COLLEGE OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PG COLLEGE (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.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PG COLLEGE Cont… (b)Admission and Registration I.The college should have an independent portal for online application and registration. II.Students screening (after payment of acceptance fees) must commence from the Department. III.Admissions into M.Sc Programmes should be on semester basis while that of PhD should be all year round.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PG COLLEGE Cont… (c)Processing of Results and Examiners’ Reports I.Faculties and Departments should process results promptly to the College Postgraduate Board

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PG COLLEGE Cont… (d)Registration of Thesis Titles I.Minimum of 2 weeks for examination of thesis after receipt of such by the External Examiners. II.Insulate the PG Programmes from industrial actions

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PG COLLEGE Cont… (e) Quality Assurance/Standard I.Students must present at least two or three seminar papers before the completion of their programmes. II.Defense of research proposal and post field must be given wide publicity. III.Workshops on how to apply for Research Grants should organized on annual basis. IV.Publication of at least, one paper from a PhD thesis in a reputable, non-predatory journal before the final defence may also be encouraged V.Postgraduate students should be encouraged to attend academic conferences.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PG COLLEGE Cont… (e) Quality Assurance/Standard Contd Commencement of Annual Awards for the best three theses that meet certain criteria on Faculty basis. This would motivate students to write good quality theses.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PG COLLEGE Cont… (f)Staffing I.Two new administrative divisions namely (a) Academic and Research Division, and (b) 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 should be in line with the BMAS.

THANK YOU