VICE-CHANCELLORS OF SOUTH EAST UNIVERSITIES MEET AGAIN AT AE-FUNAI, SEEK COLLABORATION AMONGST VARSITIES.

The Vice-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu- Alike, Ebonyi State, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, yesterday hosted Association of Vice-Chancellor’s of South East Zone Universities (AVCSEU) for a second time this year.

Recall that on April 1- 2, 2019, Vice-Chancellor’s of South East Universities gathered at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu- Alike, to commence what has today become Association of Vice-Chancellor’s of South East Zone Universities (AVCSEU). Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, initiator and convener stated at that first meeting that ‘’our idea is to create synergy amongst universities and offer each other assistance where required. Our relationship is complementary not competitive’’,
While welcoming members at the second meeting of the association held at the University Senate Chamber on July 2, 2019, the chairman, Prof. Nwajiuba stated that in April 2nd this year, the VCs met and agreed on the need for collaboration among the universities and as well support our private Universities. To him, the National Universities Commission (NUC) encourages such relationships and mentorship from the older universities, especially those classified as first generation.


Professor Nwajiuba appealed to the Federal and state universities to see this as an aspect of community service, adding that they are not in any competition with each other. ‘’Look around the Southeast, and reach out to any of the private universities, support them with staff and students’ exchanges and interactions, in lectures and supervision, grant access to facilities, send excess application for admission to them. Collaborate in research; invite them to seminars, workshops and others”. He urged any private university interested in the aforementioned to indicate for further discussions and possibly agree on Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and memorandum of Association (MoA).

Ms Chizoba Mojekwu, former Director, Human Capacity Development at CBN, who was invited to deliver key note speech, focused on innovation and new trends in human capacity development and management. She encouraged Vice-Chancellors to provide leadership that is dynamic and strong enough to drive the human and material resources available in the university community to achieve success.She maintained that in the last five years there is mismatch between the technical skills and what we think having strength in technical skills require.
Ms Mojekwu affirmed that new technology and new trend has enhanced rapid productivity in the world. She asked: ‘’How can we learn to innovate and disrupt? She maintained that innovation has to start from the universities and that the world will get to a time when they will no longer require degrees for someone to be hired, means they have disrupted our business. Even as our business is being disrupted, it is either we have two options, pretend we are not being disrupted and continue with business as usual, or do something about having some skills to build our working capacity, she said.
In his closing remarks, Professor Nwajiuba encouraged other Vice-chancellor’s to borrow a leaf from AE-FUNAI which according to him has become the most serious university around here in view of its consistence in following the school calendar and maintaining discipline among staff and students, reiterating that here, lecturers score 99% lecture attendance while students are put on check for regular and timely class attendance.
Presently, the secretariat of the association is situated at AE-FUNAI as the VC and Registrar of the university are pioneer chairman and secretary, respectively.

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