The leadership echelon of Nigeria universities is structured in such a way that empowers the Vice-Chancellor as the head of administration while the Deputy Vice-Chancellors subordinate him. Leadership of universities in Nigeria is set out by the law establishing them – state and federal universities alike.

Whereas most universities have multiples of Deputy Vice-Chancellors (DVCs) positions as the next in command after the Vice Chancellor, the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, has just a DVC

This is in contrast to what is obtainable in other institutions. To name a few,, while the University of Nigeria Nsukka operates with three DVCs –  DVC Academic, DVC Admin Nsukka and DVC Admin Enugu campus, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) has two  Deputy Vice-Chancellors, one for Academic affairs and another for Administration

At State universities, the Imo State University (IMSU) operates two Deputy Vice-Chancellorship structure, one for Academic Affairs (DVC Academics) and the other for Administration (DVC Admin). Similarly, Abia State University (ABSU) has two Deputy Vice-Chancellors (DVCs): one for Academic matters and one for Administration issues.

One thing is clear aforesaid, there ought to be at least two DVCs in a university to oversee academic and administrative affairs. Interestingly, ESUT has just one.

To ascertain the rationale behind ESUT having just one Deputy Vice-Chancellor position, ESUT Monitor spoke extensively with the Acting Chairperson of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, ESUT Branch, Comrade Dr Andrew Apeh.

Dr Apeh who expressed concern that having just one DVC is hampering effective administration in ESUT, however explained the reason.

According to him, “every university operates under its own establishing law, and ESUT’s existing law provides for only one Deputy Vice Chancellor. However, during ASUU’s recent engagements with the university management, the union formally requested for the creation of two Deputy Vice Chancellor positions, and the management responded positively, promising to look into the matter.

“Let me remind you that introducing a new structure in the management of the university requires going through the Enugu State House of Assembly to amend the existing law that established ESUT. I am confidence that once the legal processes are completed, the university will implement the changes.

He emphasized that adding at least one Deputy Vice-Chancellors in the echelon would ease the administrative burden currently placed on the Vice-Chancellor and foster more effective communication between lecturers and the university management.

The post EXCLUSIVE: Why ESUT Has Only One Deputy Vice-Chancellor appeared first on ESUT Monitor.

A university don, Dr Andrew Apeh of Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), has advised students if the institution not to see carryover as the end to their academic career.

Dr Apeh gave the advice at the orientation programme of first year students of the department on Thursday.

Speaking on the topic: “Grading System of Courses, Degree Classification,” Dr Apeh who is a product of the department informed the students that carryover is an opportunity for them to study the course better and come out with improved grade.

“Many of you see carryover as a sin, but that is untrue. Why would you have a “D” or a an “E” in your results? These grades bring down you grade point and should be avoided. In fact, if you aspire to graduate with good grades, you should have no business with any grade lower than “B” at all times.

“Carryover is not a crime neither those it show that you are not intelligent. Rather, it is an opportunity for you to know the course better and get Excellent Grade thereafter,” he said.

Dr Apeh provided more insight in an exclusive interview with ESUT Monitor.

“Summarily, the essence of this orientation is to acquit them with the system, to educate them on the does and don’t of the department. With this orientation the department will embrace them and let them know the rules, that guide the department because without being informed they would be mislead and they might begin to act in error.

“So we want to avoid any thing that would bring ‘had I known at last’. That is the reason the department is telling them this is the school rules and regulations, this is what they ought to do and ought not to do and in that orientation everything about what they would meet as they progress from year one to final year were explained to them.

“I spoke about grading and told them the grade points and how they are calculated and from first semester to second semester what they are expected to see. Registration of courses and the need for that. There are persons that talked about ethics while others talked about examination conduct.

” I told them that, the success that they ought to record starts from the first day they stepped their legs into the university because you are talking about first class. It means the person have to add extra ordinary input into whatever effort he or she may be making and that starts from the first semester, from their first year ensuring that the seriousness would begin to show itself to their second semester till their final year. The person supposed to maintain certain grade point that would give him that.

“For some students who may be aiming for a First Class, my message to them is that the success they want to achieve starts from the first day they stepped feet into the university,” he concluded.

Another lecturer, Mr Sebastine Okafor admonished the students to always love in peace amongst themselves.

Mr Okafor who knows that no progress is recorded in a atmosphere of rancour, urged the students to be their brother’s keeper at all times.

Earlier in her presentation, Mrs Ijeoma Ukwueze, also a lecturer in the department took the students through the names of teaching and non-teaching staff in the department.

With Dr Chidiebere Ezinwa as the Head if the Department, Mr Ikwueze enjoined the students to respect all staff maximally and urged them to always approach any if the staff meme ers each time they have issues.

The 2024 orientation programme for First Year Students in the department was held at the final year classroom with over 180 students in attendance.

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