By Ewere Okonta, PhD
08037383019
eob.org.ng
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Delta, Agbor (UNIDEL), Prof. Eric Chiedum Eboh, has inaugurated the Directorate of Academic Quality Compliance with a charge to its members to protect the integrity of the University's academic system and enforce strict compliance with established standards.
Prof Eboh, who spoke during the inauguration, said the Directorate was established to strengthen the University's pursuit of academic excellence, stressing that “you cannot have academic excellence without quality assurance.”
He said the quality assurance mechanism was particularly important in the conduct of examinations, adding that examination activities could not be effectively conducted without strict compliance with approved academic standards.
The Vice Chancellor said the new Directorate was consistent with Pillar A of the RAISE UNIDEL Higher Strategy, which focuses on Academic Excellence, noting that the University's transformation strategy must be supported by systems capable of monitoring performance and enforcing standards.
He also explained that the RAISE UNIDEL Higher Strategy operates through three interrelated multilayer planning frameworks: the Vision Framework, Implementation Framework and Key Performance Indicators Framework.
According to him, the frameworks provide the structure for translating the University's vision into implementation and measurable performance, with the various components of the RAISE project working together towards institutional development.
Prof Eboh charged the Director and members of the Directorate to take their responsibilities seriously, describing their assignment as an enormous one with direct implications for the quality and reputation of the University.
He warned staff and students who may deliberately undermine academic standards to change their ways, stressing that every action would attract its corresponding consequence.
The Vice Chancellor was particularly emphatic in warning against activities capable of compromising the University's standards.
“As for those that have the plan to turn UNIDEL to Onitsha market, they should think twice because they will be thrown out of the system,” he warned.
He said the administration would continue to take measures necessary to protect academic integrity and ensure that UNIDEL develops as a university where excellence, discipline and accountability are upheld.
Directorate's Mandate
The Directorate was inaugurated with a wide-ranging mandate covering all academic programmes of the University, including pre-degree, non-degree, undergraduate, postgraduate and part-time programmes.
Its terms of reference include the dissemination of extant rules, regulations and standards for quality assurance across the University's academic programmes through the sensitisation and enlightenment of lecturers and students.
The Directorate will also coordinate and supervise the Examination Monitoring Committee to ensure the orderliness and integrity of course examinations.
It will similarly coordinate and supervise the Lectures Monitoring Committee to monitor the punctuality, regularity and quality of lecture delivery by academic staff.
Another responsibility is the observation and monitoring of CBT examinations to ensure orderliness, efficiency and integrity.
The Directorate is expected to obtain and track students' feedback on lecture delivery, including the punctuality and regularity of lecturers, course content and effectiveness of teaching.
It will also verify and report infractions, violations and irregularities relating to lecture delivery, handling of examination questions, and the conduct of departmental and faculty examinations and CBTs.
In addition, the Directorate will investigate and report cases of examination malpractice, breaches and violations of academic quality and integrity, as well as other matters involving students, lecturers and academic service delivery referred to it by the Vice Chancellor.
The Directorate is headed by Dr. Mrs. Florence Omumu, with Dr. Isioma Nwaokoro, Dr. Richard Oveh, Dr. Olufunke Chenube, Dr. Michael Eyide, Dr. M. Okwenu, Dr. Judith Jessa, Dr. Ewere Okonta, Dr. Ewoma Oduma, Dr. Ngozi Mordi, Dr. Friday Akporherhe, Dr. Mariam Ashikodi, Dr. Austin Ejovi, Mrs. Olapeju Iyamah and Mr. Valentine Okonta as members.
The inauguration comes as the Prof Eboh administration intensifies efforts to strengthen academic governance and embed quality assurance in the University's teaching, learning and examination processes.
Dr Ewere Okonta is the CEO of EOB Media, a family-values advocate, teacher and writer. He writes from the Department of Business Administration, University of Delta, Agbor.
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