By Group 12 (MAC 201 – News Writing and Reporting)
The students of Veterinary Medicine University of Jos have written over 40 ‘shortgun’ tests within the duration of two months. The term “shortgun”refers to unannounced test.
According to the Head of Department, Microbiology and Pathology, Dr. Samson Shaibu, the students experience this workload due to the tight schedule on their timetable. Lectures, he said could commence by 6am and end by 6pm almost every day. Hence, the students have little or no time for extracurricular activities.
Still on the issue of the workload on students, Head of Department Parasitology and Entomology, Dr. Abraham Dogo said the reason why the workload is so much on the students is because Veterinary Medicine is a professional course that studies different kinds of animals and these animals cannot communicate their problems hence, the need to study them more critically.
He further explained that the students have to be exposed to the various animal species so as to study and understand their structures unlike the human anatomy where you only have a single structure to study.
Asking how the students are able to cope with such tight lectures and if they have any social life at all, Dr. Dogo responded that it all depends on the strength and capabilities of the students as according to him, Veterinary Medicine students are the most social students on campus and that he as a person has passed through the same process and was still able to participate strongly in student unionism.
Further speaking, the Examination Officer of the faculty Dr. Kashima Solomon said the students are up to the task and are able to perform effectively despite the several unannounced tests they write. He commended the effort of the students, saying they can make it since others have passed through the same experience and have succeeded.
According to Daniel Magaji, class representative of 200 level students of the Faculty, Veterinary Medicine is an exciting place to be because they are few in number and enjoy free interaction with their lecturers.
According to him, it is both stressful and enjoyable, “you learn a lot and get to make new friends. The course is best described as complicated because one cannot say it is hard or easy nor can one say it is boring or fun filled. However, it is expository as we get to learn a lot from regular visits to the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom.
He further said a Veterinary Medicine student has no social life unless he or she is super intelligent. To him, if the workload is reduced and made a little more flexible, veterinary medicine will be the perfect course to study because the students will perform more effectively.
On the contrary, Onuche Agweche a 200 level student of the faculty said a reduction in the work load will only mean a reduction in the standard. Veterinary Medicine according to him is a tasking course due to the fact that all domestic animals such as cats, dogs, goats and so on must be studied. It is also demanding because the materials needed such as textbooks are quite expensive.
However, he commended the staff for making PDF materials available to them. He equally appreciated the efforts of staff and administration of the faculty, saying they have really helped them to advance academically.
