Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria have canvassed for autonomy to empower them to become centres of academic excellence that can drive national development and compete globally with other tertiary institutions
The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria (COPSUN) making the call in a communique issued and signed by the Chairman of National Planning Committee,Prof. Ayodeji Omole, at end of its 7th biennial conference held over the weekend at Ikeja in Lagos, also stressed the need for government to establish a strong Governing Councils with the authority to make key decisions on university governance
Other agreements reached at the conference include the need for various State-Owned Universities to strengthen the alumni associations for the development of the universities and the need to ensure mutual interests between Town and Gown, so as to encourage such partnerships that will further prepare the students for life outside the university.
To avoid conflicts, the Pro-Chancellors said universities must be administered the way it should be, saying "Universities are global institutions for teaching and acquisition of knowledge and should therefore operate in line with international standards in terms of infrastructure, research, facilities, and quality knowledge"
"Corrupt practices such as examination malpractices, forgery, cloning of certificates, impersonation, miracle examination centres, fake universities, etc., should be maximally discouraged", the committee stated
They frowned at indiscriminate and abrupt dissolution of Governing Councils and incessant strike action by labour unions and the attendant consequences on stability, quality, and standards of university education
University managements according to the Pro-Chancellors in the communique, should be encouraged to use the available resources prudently to maximize their impact while opportunities through partnerships with private entities should be explored to help compliment funding and improve the overall financial standing of the universities.
"Universities should promote research and innovation as this could attract external funding and grants"
" Governments are encouraged to annually review and increase budgetary allocations and consequent release of budgetary allocations to education", they maintained
Eliminating corruption can help prevent funds mismanagement of resources. Government should not relent on closely monitoring corruption as this would assist in maximizing the scarce resources available"
"Governing Councils and University Managements are encouraged to create consultancy units as this can serve as an alternative means of generating funds.
xv. Universities should design new and innovative courses capable of attracting international students".
Host communities, business tycoons, corporate bodies, and other benefactors according to them, should be encouraged to support universities through donation of funds and infrastructure
"Pro-Chancellors of State-owned universities should be involved in dispute resolutions and negotiations when trade disputes involving national bodies of labour union in the universities arise", the forum stated
"University Management should ensure that town hall meetings, participatory consultations, alternative dispute resolutions, and due process are deployed to resolve conflicts with labour unions"
The Committee of Pro-Chancellors in the conclusion, also advocated for strengthening of University staff capacity , so as to enhance efficiency in the system while calling on the State-owned universities to involve students in the training on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for learning and problem solving.
The biennial conference being organized by the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities, serves as
a pivotal platform for discussing, brainstorming, and shaping the future of higher education in Nigeria by providing solutions to challenges facing tertiary education in the country.
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