ESUT Makes Professional Membership Compulsory for Academic Staff

The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) has made it mandatory for all academic staff to be registered members of professional bodies. The directive was announced by the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Aloysius M. Okolie, during the 2023 Annual International Conference of ESUT School of Postgraduate Studies.

The theme of the conference, "Enhancing and Strengthening the Capacities of Research Supervision in Universities," provided a fitting platform for Prof. Okolie to outline the new policies designed to raise the standards of academic and research activities at ESUT. One of the key aspects of this policy is that there will be no promotions for staff members who are not registered members of professional associations. This measure is intended to ensure that academic staff stay actively engaged in their respective fields and contribute to the body of knowledge through professional affiliations. Additionally, professors are now required to participate in international conferences and workshops for research purposes.

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This engagement is seen as vital for intellectual growth and to keep the academic community connected to global developments in their areas of expertise. Professors who do not meet this requirement will face stagnation in their positions. Furthermore, professors who neglect to attend research courses will no longer be permitted to supervise postgraduate students. This policy aims to ensure that professors maintain a commitment to ongoing learning and research activities. In explaining these measures, Prof. Okolie stressed the importance of continuous research activities among faculty members. He encouraged faculty to consider conferences and workshops as opportunities for intellectual growth, career development, and collaboration with peers. Prof. Okolie also expressed his resolve to ensure that Deans of faculties are academically conscious and active participants in professional associations.

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Chairman of the conference, Dr. Jeff Nnamani, commented on the overall lack of professionalism in Nigerian society and emphasized that the theme of the conference was particularly pertinent. He noted that a major challenge in university education and research is the issue of funding and called for a more substantial allocation of funds to universities. Dean of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Sam Ugwu, emphasized that research was a crucial component of university education and scholarship. He pointed out that the quality of postgraduate theses and dissertations has been a concern for many stakeholders in academia. The conference, according to Prof. Ugwu, aimed to provide participants with the intellectual opportunities to improve postgraduate education and supervision skills. The new policies enacted by ESUT demonstrate the university's commitment to fostering a culture of research, professionalism, and continuous learning among its academic staff. These measures are expected to contribute to academic growth and the overall quality of education at the institution.