By Gabriel Chy Alonta
The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state, on Friday, conducted orientation exercise for fresh students admitted into the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 Sandwich programme in the university.
The orientation ceremony organised by the Sandwich Unit, Orient Daily reports, took place at the Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies, and attracted members of university management, directors and staff of the institution.
In an address, the director of Sandwich programme, Prof. Comfort Okolocha, noted that the occasion afforded the students opportunity to interact with the university management and course mates. She added that it would also facilitate their academic, social and cultural adjustment in the university.
According to Okolocha, a Professor of Business Education, the orientation is significant because it provides students with information that will enable them familiarise with the university policies, rules and regulations.
The director while commending the university vice-chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, for graciously relocating the Sandwich students to the university premises, said such a gesture would give them a sense of belonging within the university, as well as reduce stress for lecturers and students.
“To prove his love for academic excellence, the vice-chancellor has also approved that university buses be conveying you from your hostel at Girls’ Secondary School, Amaenyi, to the main campus.
“Once again, I wish to congratulate all the fresh Sandwich students offered admission for the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 academic sessions. You should count yourself as being lucky to have been offered an opportunity to study in this university of all times”, Okolocha enthused.
While declaring the event open, Prof. Esimone, represented by the Director, Academic Planning of the university, Prof. Ike Odimegwu, told his audience to know why they were in the institution, and reminded them of their expected conduct as teachers. He urged them to always model worthwhile behaviours as parents, shun any unruly behaviour and to act in accordance with the rules and regulations governing the institution.
Speaking on the theme, “Education, Technology and Stress Management in COVID-19 Era”, a Professor of Adult and Special Education, Williams Obiozor, told participants that education was a key to both self and community development, urging them to ensure they acquire the requisite knowledge and skills that would enable them become useful to the society.
Obiozor, who urged the students to form study groups as a strategy for excelling in their programme, said the students should remain focused, as well as to leverage on the digital library in the institution and other ICT resources to study better.
“If you manage yourself and time very well, and do all you are supposed to do, you will have minimal stress in your academic journey”, he assured them.
Earlier in a remark, the Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, reminded the participants that teaching was a noble profession, and congratulated them for choosing, what she described, as “best profession in the world”.
“Since you have chosen the most noble and best profession in the world – teaching – You must behave like noble people. Eschew all manner of indiscipline such as examination malpractice, bribery, indecent body exposures and so on”, Ikediugwu, a Professor of Educational Management and Policy advised.
Associate Professor Constance Okoli, the deputy director of Sandwich Unit, had, in a vote of thanks, described the event theme as apt and of monumental importance, and enjoined the students to ensure they put all they learnt to practice. She equally thanked the university vice-chancellor for providing an enabling environment for the Sandwich students.
Some of the students in separate interviews, expressed appreciation to God for offering them admission into the programme, and assured that they would abide by the rules and regulations within the university. They, however, implored their lecturers to give them their possible best and time throughout their academic journey.
Presentations by Prof. Frederick Odibo, deputy vice-chancellor (Academic), represented by Prof. Stanley Udedi, Rev. Fr. Prof. Boniface Obiefuna, director, general studies unit, and Dr. Loyce Onyali, who spoke on ‘Dress Code’, formed the high points of the orientation ceremony.