The Vice Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi state, Prof. Sunday Elom has inaugurated 8 Committees on Students’ Grades Verification.

The constitution and inauguration of the Committees was informed by the need to protect the integrity and authenticity of students’ grades and by extension, the academic certificate of the University by ensuring that lecturers do not favour some students through the award of frivolous marks nor witch-hunt some by undermining their academic grades.

While speaking at the occasion, the Acting Director, Directorate of Quality Assurance and Database Management, Dr. Lawrence Ogugua stated that the exercise which is in tandem with national and global best standards was designed to improve the quality of delivery of academic programmes and students’ output.


VC, Prof. Sunday Elom (4th L) in a group photograph with some of the Committees’ team leaders
He emphasised that the Committees would carry out the roles of assessing the course specifications for various courses vis-a’-vis NUC Benchmark Minimum Academic standards(BMAS), scrutinize 1st and 2nd semesters examinations question papers, marking schemes, marked scripts, graded sheets, students’ projects and any other relevant documents that may help them make informed decisions, and then make recommendations to the University Management.



In the course of discharging their duties, Dr. Ogugua added that the Committee would interact with the Heads of Departments, course lecturers, departmental examination officers and course coordinators on the aforementioned issues.

He maintained that the exercise will address some of the deficiencies highlighted by the National Universities Commission’s accreditation panels, and satisfy the regulatory agencies’ directive for regular quality checks, thereby ultimately improving quality and standards of the university’s programmes.


VC, Prof. Sunday Elom speaking during the inauguration ceremony


He therefore solicited for total commitment and transparency on the part of members of the Committees in order to achieve the desired results and the maximum cooperation of Deans and relevant staff in the execution of the assignment.



While inaugurating the Committees, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Elom commended the Directorate of Quality Assurance and Database Management for their roles in ensuring that the quality of academic activities in the University is maintained, adding that such integrity check was dear to the heart of the University Management.

“This quality assurance exercise is important to us as we try to build the image of a serious university

“People are commending our graduates because they have been able to distinguish themselves from others”, the Vice-Chancellor stated, adding “The integrity of our certificate is dear to us.”


A cross section of members of the Committees during their inauguration


The Vice-Chancellor further frowned at” block marking’ – a system of marking of scripts where lecturers allot marks to students without justifying it, noting that it is prone to abuse, and warned defaulters to desist from the act or face dire consequences.



“There should be specific marks for specific answers. Block marking is prone to abuse. There will be sanctions for those who engage in such.”

He charged the team leaders of the Committees to take the exercise seriously and work towards completing the exercise on the stipulated time frame. He also urged the Directorate of Quality Assurance and Data-based Management to monitor the activities of the Committees to ensure strict compliance to their terms of reference.