By Joseph Ojedeji and Mapak Lucky
The Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Prof. Tor Iorapuu, has appreciated the students of the Faculty for shunning cultism and examination malpractice as ‘no case of such has been reported since I came on board as the Dean of the Faculty’.
His commendation was made recently at the maiden edition of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Students’ Association (FAHSA) interactive session held at the Unity Hall of the Faculty.
Prof. Tor called on the students to be focused in their academics and shun indecent dressing while noting that the inferno that engulfed the library complex has compounded the problem of inadequate lecture halls.
He stated that as soon as the other complex of the faculty building is completed in a couple of months, it would ease the difficulty encountered by students in terms of lecture halls.
He added that students have the right to quality lecture time from lecturers and urged them to use their time judiciously.
The FAHSA President, Com. Emmanuel Nankham Tunlep, said the parley was organized for students to air their views as well as proffer constructive criticisms that could move the Faculty forward.
He added that the parley was first of its kind within the Faculty.
The parley had an interactive session where students were given the opportunity to air their views as well as ask questions on developments within the Faculty.
Cyprian Jang from the Theatre and Film Arts Department urged the Dean to use stringent measures to curtail noise making by students in the Faculty.
Sheba Abba, a 300 level student of Theatre and Film Arts decried the unavailability of adequate facilities and frowned at the situation whereby students share toilet facilities irrespective of gender.
Dafan Meshach Moses, a student of History and International Studies stressed the need for a Faculty library while Silas Istifanus from the Department of Archeology emphasized the need for a wireless Internet network for students in the Faculty.
Furthermore, Sumayya Idris, a 300 level student of Islamic Studies lamented over inadequate lecture halls in the Faculty while calling on the Dean to help evolve palliative measures to cushion the effect and stress on students.
Najal Emmanuel, a 200 level student of Theatre and Film Arts, called on the Dean to look into the need for the completion of the permanent site indoor theatre and also intervene in the provision of a safe place for students to keep their bags outside the Faculty.
Responding to some of the issues raised, the FAHSA President noted that the Faculty student association (FAHSA) has taken it as a responsibility to provide lockers for students and announced that the lockers have already been purchased and concerted efforts are taken to see that they are installed before resumption after the Christmas and New Year holidays for students to use.
He added that they are also making efforts to create a relaxation spot for students around the Faculty complex as chairs to be used for that purpose have also been purchased.
In an exclusive interview with the Dean after the parley, he said without students there is no university and as such, it is an opportunity to engage the students as critical stakeholders, in order for both the students and the lecturers to share their pain and enjoy their benefits respectively.
Prof. Tor added that he has been re-elected as the Dean, so the Faculty should expect a more vibrant student and lecturer relationship, especially a more conducive learning environment.
He added that the second edition of the parley would come up before the commencement of examinations every semester to confirm the completion of lectures from the student and also to be sure of their readiness for the exams.
He also gave the assurance that the yet to be accredited departments in the Faculty would be accredited next year, ‘hopefully’.
In an interview granted to UniJos Echo by the Faculty President, he noted that the inspiration behind the parley is to ensure that the students know the faculty management and as such present their problems that could be tackled in a forum like this.
The event had in attendance the Deputy Dean of the Faculty Dr. Nguvugher Chentu, the HoD of Archeology Prof. Joseph Mangut, the HoD of English Prof. Mrs. Amaka M. Azuike, the HoD of Religion and Philosophy Prof. Pic Onwochei, the HoD of Foreign Languages Dr. Nora Dadut, the HoD of Music, Dr. Emmanuel I. Aimuiwu and the Faculty Officer, Mr. Joseph Musa Abimiku.
Photo Credit: Joseph Ojedeji and Mapak Lucky
Edited by JM
