A sixteen-man team from the National Universities Commission (NUC) on an accreditation visit to four programmes of the University – Economics, Political Science, International studies and diplomacy and Business Administration, have praised the University for making adequate provisions for the smooth running of the programmes.

The interim exit reports read by leaders of the four respective teams to the University Management on Friday, June 8, 2018, were satisfactory as the philosophies and the objectives are defined, well-articulated, carefully designed and clearly expressed in a manner capable of providing direction for the training and production of high quality graduates.

The team leaders included Professor Barr (Mrs.) Lillian N. Oparaugo (Political Science); Professor Prof. (Mrs.) Grace Nzelibe (Business Administration); Professor S.U Fwatshak (International Studies and Diplomacy); Prof. Ebele Amali (Economics)

The general report shows that the curricula of the programmes are quite adequate and align with the NUC guidelines.

Also, the interim reports shows that the departments are in general compliance with the NUC admission requirements and the physical libraries are in well equipped with appropriate and relevant journals; the holdings are very current for recommended textbooks and current for journals.

The leaders of the teams also read that as a Faith-based private university the funding of the programmes is adequate as staff salaries are regularly paid; equipment are well-maintained, and facilities are sufficiently provided.

Furthermore, they said that the external examination system exists and qualified senior academics of the rank of Professors were employed as external examiners.

They also agreed that past questions are of good standard having been moderated by external examiners. Marking schemes exist and are clearly presented. Also, the grading of projects is generally consistent.

While thanking the University Management for the good hospitality given to them, they also expressed appreciation to the Management for the cooperation and support given to the teams while they went about national assignments in the University.

The Acting Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Sam Guobodia, in his remarks, appreciated the team members for the job well done adding that the Management will work on the areas that need improvement.

Also at the meeting were the Registrar, Benson Idahosa University, Rev. Mike Okagbare, Librarian, Mrs. Grace Sanni, Bursar, Mr. Gladday Igweagbara, Dean of Post graduate School, Prof. Bamidele Sanni, the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education, Prof. Innocent Umejiesi, Dean, Faculty of Social and Management Science, Dr. F.O Eboremie, Director, Academic Planning Unit, Dr. Mark Ighile, Heads of Departments, and other faculty members.

In efforts geared towards providing a platform to create, negotiate, disseminate and to transfer knowledge through research collaboration and mentoring, the Centre for Language Research and English Proficiency (CLAREP), has organized an Academic Writing Workshop for young academics in Africa.

The 5-day workshop which was hosted by Benson Idahosa University and powered by the Volkswagen Foundation had mentors and participants from 30 universities from across Africa as well as Germany.

Declaring the event open, the President of Benson Idahosa University, Bishop F.E.B. Idahosa lauded the Centre for providing young academics in Africa the opportunities for training and mentoring on writing for academic publication.

He welcomed the participants to the University and told them to feel free to move around the University to feel our hospitable environment.

Giving her welcome address, the Director for Centre for Language Research and English Proficiency (CLAREP), Dr. Alexander Esimaje said academic writing has become an issue that needs to be addressed because student participation in higher education is on the rise stretching academic staff and learning facilities.

 “All over the world, student participation in higher education is on the rise. The inability of government and private agencies to provide resources to match this growth poses a significant problem for educational institutions. The result is that academic and learning facilities are considerably stretched and academic writing takes the immediate toll,” she said.

According to her, the low-level competence in the academic writing skills of students is all too apparent in the product of academies all over the world; and the need for productive education underlines the significance of the workshop.

Furthermore, she said the workshop is one of the ways CLAREP achieves its aim of increasing the research capacities and the level of English proficiency among young Academics in Africa.

She thanked the Management and Staff of Benson Idahosa University, the Volkswagen Foundation and the local organizing committee for the academic workshop for Africa,

In his speech, the Acting Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Sam Guobadia, commended CLAREP under the leadership of Dr. Esimaje for mentoring students of the University.

“We consider ourselves fortunate to have an academic workshop of this kind hosted in our University. CLAREP has achieved unparalleled growth and exemplary progress in the areas of academic and research. As an institution, we are proud to be part of your success story.”

He urged everyone to make a collective responsibility to support all the programmes organized and co-organised by the Centre.

CLAREP is an educational non-governmental organization poised to developing research and promoting the use of language in all its spheres.