AE-FUNAI SPGS HOLDS ORIENTATION PROGRAMME FOR NEW POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS
The Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, School of Postgraduate Studies, has conducted an orientation exercise for new students in the 2022/2023 academic session.

This is to acquaint the students with the necessary procedures and regulations governing the programme and to motivate them to perform at a high-level, and thus minimize cases of delayed graduation, failures and mistakes that could arise from ignorance.


VC Rep, Prof. Romanus Ejiaga declaring the event open


Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sunday Elom, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof. Romanus Ejiaga, congratulated the new intakes, noting that the orientation programme was necessary as it provides students with the needed information to enable them function effectively in the University.

He said, “as a student, having passed through the rigorous admission process to be here, I urge you not to relent”, adding that the University is working on improving its postgraduate education both in quality and quantity for better outcomes.

He also advised them to be serious with their studies in order to achieve a 100 percent completion rate, and therefore make it to the graduation list in record time.

The Vice-Chancellor further noted that the beauty of the university’s postgraduate programme is that students graduate on schedule; 3 years for Ph.D full time, 3 semesters for Masters’ and 2 semesters for Postgraduate Diploma programmes respectively.

He charged the students to abide by the rules and regulations governing the University and to work diligently to achieve their goals.


Dean, SPGS, Prof. Nwabueze Elom, making his opening speech


Earlier, the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Nwabueze Elom, in his welcome address, assured the new students of timely support to aid them to complete their research work in order to graduate on time.

He admonished the students to cooperate with the school authorities, adding that the university is trying its best to support the SPGS to make sure the students are served better.

Speaking further, Prof Nwabueze, in his lecture titled ‘Supervisor-Student Relationship’ stated that in PG studies, the supervisor plays a key role in helping the students to achieve their goals, stressing that in maintaining a good relationship, the supervisor and the students must relate very well to ensure the timely completion of the programme.

He equally enjoined the new students to be open and honest to their supervisors, show integrity and try to keep to time.

He therefore warned them to maintain the rule of plagiarism while carrying out their research work.

Delivering a lecture titled ‘The indispensability of ICT in Postgraduate studies, the ICT Director, Engr Dr. Ngozi Eli-Chukwu, emphasized that Information and Communication Technology (ICT), is the brain box of whatever that is done in the University, adding that all the information requirements is achieved through ICT-enabled platform.


The Director ICT, Engr Dr. Ngozi Eli-Chukwu delivering her lecture
She called on the students to know the reason why they are in the university and make use of the opportunity to do the right thing at the right time.

Contributing, the Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Femi Adeyeye, in a lecture titled ‘Research Ethics in Postgraduate studies’ affirmed that qualitative and quantitative research, especially studies in educational contexts, often bring up questions of ethics because the designs of the studies may involve humans and other subjects.

He stated that it is not always easy for young researchers to anticipate where ethical issues might emerge while designing their research projects, but it is pertinent to beam the search light on ethic and ethical considerations towards academic and professional studies.


Prof. Femi Adeyeye speaking at the programme


Prof. Adeyeye speaking further, mentioned major ethical issues to be considered in research work to include, innate ethical ramifications, authorship of research projects, and data manipulations amongst others, advising the students to avoid plagiarism and to always cite the original sources of their information.

Highlights of the event was the taking of the matriculation oath by the students, led by the Secretary of the school, Dr. Florence Albi-Oparaocha.


Cross section of the students taking the Matriculation Oath



Dean, SPGS Prof. Nwabueze Elom and some management staff in a group photograph with some of the students after the event

VC Rep, Prof. Romanus Ejiaga (C) in a group photograph with some staff at the event