By Amaechi Agbo

In its efforts to reinvigorate productivity, good relationship as well as sustain already established examination probity and work ethics within its fold, the Department of Mass Communication, ESUT recently organised sensitization workshop and orientation programmes for the staff and students, respectively.

Under the auspices of Dr Chidiebere Ezinwa as the Head, the staff sensitization workshop was held on June 27 while students’ orientation was held on July 11, 2024.

Dr Ezinwa in a chat with ESUT Monitor explained the rationale behind the two programmes stressing that there is need for the sensitization to be made regularly annually to keep the staff abreast of evolving realities, ethics and conducts in the department.

“First and foremost, I want to appreciate my staff and colleagues for their unwavering support to the department. They are very supportive such that every programme we have initiated were implemented. I can’t thank them enough.

“On the sensitization workshop, yes, when I recommended it to the departmental board it was unanimously applauded that the staff needed to be re-oriented. We held the orientation on June 27 June and I want to inform you that it was very productive and impactful. We had resource persons during the staff orientation including Professors Ikechukwu Chikelieze, Sunny Udeze, Chibueze Ogbuoshi as well as Prof Obiageli Okafor who all educated the staff on work ethics, punctuality, productivity and effective work relationship.

“It was a programme cherished by all and we are very grateful to the resources persons we had. The orientation was very important for the staff because it served as a reminder on those tenets, tradition and philosophy of the department. There is also need for us to make this programme an annually interaction so that staff can be kept abreast of the rules of engagements in the department,” he said. 

in his lecture that centred on Examination conduct, Professor Ikechukwu Chikelieze that invigilation during examination is intended to make student fail or to harass them but to ensure that the examination is conducted in atmosphere devoid of giving any student undue advantage over others.

He highlighted what are expected of examination invigilators and how the pick out students who are involved any form of malpractice.

“Tell students to check and remove any material that may implicate them, check their desks and clean writings on them, ensure the classrooms are clean before starting the exam.

“We should be scientific during invigilation. Students with steady gaze on supervisors, uncomfortable in their seats are potential culprits of exam malpractice. We should be careful before indicting students for exam malpractice. Smartphones and watches are not allowed in the exam halls. Earphones and others are proscribed in the hall,” he said.

The staff workshop was swiftly followed by similar programme for the first year students. The orientation held on July 11, according Dr Ezinwa, ushered the students properly into the department. 

He explained that during the orientation, the students were introduced to all the staff members of the department, educated on how to conduct themselves in the school particularly during examinations as well as dress codes. 

“It’s our official way of welcoming the new students into the department just the way the university welcomed them during matriculation. During the orientation, the entire staff in the department were introduced to the students. Series of lectures on examination conduct and dangers of involvement in examination malpractice, dress code, the need to live peacefully with your fellow students as well as the do’s and don’ts of the department were captured. 

“All the resources persons who are also members of the departmental staff were present and delivered their lectures to the students and at the end of the programme they had alot to take home. 

“Orientation is critical particularly among staff and students because it helps to refresh our memories on our work ethics, professionalism and productivity. Often times we may take these things for granted due to exigencies of work but a reminder once in a while 8s important, he said.