By Amaka Okolie

The Dean, School of Postgraduate School of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof. Charles Chime, has revealed a significant rise in student enrolment and major reforms aimed at strengthening postgraduate education in the institution.

One of the reforms, according to him, is upgrading the School of Postgraduate Studies into College of Postgraduate Studies which he said would give the PG school independent to operate and be more functional considering the enormity of work carried out by the Vice-Chancellor as head of the school.

Prof. Chime, who assumed office in August 2023, disclosed that the postgraduate population stood at about 1,200 students when he took over, explained that postgraduate studies operate as a dynamic process, with students graduating on a monthly basis.

According to him, during the 2024/2025 academic session, 1,300 applicants were offered admission into various postgraduate programmes, while 980 registered describing it as a “tremendous” situation.

Speaking on the student performance, the Dean emphasized that postgraduate programmes are different from undergraduate studies, noting that students at this level are highly focused and intentional about completing their programmes within the stipulated duration.

He explained that the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programme runs for one academic session, with a maximum of three years; the Master’s degree spans 18 months, with a maximum of four years; while the PhD programme requires a minimum of three academic sessions. “Our students are extremely hardworking and serious because they do not want to overstay. We are intentional about our policies here and the target is to make the School of Postgraduate Studies more relevant globall.. Our visibility is growing and that is why the number of enrolment has increased tremendously over the period of time I am here.” he stated confidently.

Despite the progress recorded, Prof. Chime acknowledged several challenges facing the PG Studies. His Major challenges are administrative oversight, infrastructure lack, and the absence of essential facilities such as a dedicated postgraduate library and hostel accommodation for the students.

He revealed ongoing considerations to upgrade the Postgraduate School into a College of Postgraduate Studies. According to him, such a transition would provide a level of financial autonomy, enabling the college to manage its own budget and potentially employ staff independently. He added that if the structure changes, the head of the college would bear the title of “Provost” instead of “Dean.”

To address infrastructure challenges, the Dean disclosed plans to seek support from prominent individuals and political figures to establish a dedicated Postgraduate Library and an AI/ICT Hub. The proposed hub would provide students with internet access and digital learning facilities, easing academic stress and improving research productivity.

Describing his role as both prestigious and demanding, Prof. Chime noted that the Dean of Postgraduate School is often referred to as the “Dean of Deans” because other faculties operate under the postgraduate structure. He also acknowledged the Vice-Chancellor, Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, as the head of the Postgraduate School Board.

Rounding up the exclusive chat with ESUT Monitor in his office, Prof. Chime offered advice to Mass Communication students, urging them to be proactive and entrepreneurial even before graduation. Citing Nigerian media entrepreneur Linda Ikeji as an example, he encouraged students to leverage digital platforms to create opportunities for themselves.

“There is no job waiting for you after graduation because you have not failed until you quit to try. Journalism is an all-encompassing profession such that as a graduate, you can fit into many sectors of the economy. ”

He commended the Department of Mass Communication for sustaining the production of the ESUT Monitor Newspaper which he said has become the “go-to for news on happenings in the university. You are not only giving the university visibility globally, the paper is also training you students in the practice of the profession,”