Staff Training and Development Centre At UNILAG

A two-day training organised for Sub-Deans, Course Advisers and Faculty Officers of UNILAG by UNILAG DVC in collaboration with the Staff Training and Development Centre.

Effective management of students and their academic concerns formed the basis of a two-day training organised for Sub-Deans, Course Advisers and Faculty Officers of the University of Lagos by the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research) in collaboration with the Staff Training and Development Centre.

The training with the theme: “Ready, Set, Go! Empowerment for Effective Management of Students” was held at Afe Babalola Hall, University of Lagos from Thursday, September 7. 2023 to Friday, September 8, 2023.

According to the convener, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research), Prof. Bola Oboh, the training was set up with the aim of tackling the challenges faced by the University in area of student management, processing of results from departments and faculties, the role of course advisers. She noted that course advisers are academic mentors who help students on the voyage towards being better citizens at large. They are academics whom students should be able to discuss matters pertaining to themselves, challenges and opportunities with.

Ready, Set, Go! Empowerment for Effective Management of Students”

The training, divided into various segments, featured experienced facilitators who held interactive sessions with the participants.

Director, UNILAG Safeguarding Centre, Prof. Mopelola Olusakin kicked off the workshop by speaking on “Understanding Different Personalities & Students Behaviour”. Her session was aimed at facilitating a better understanding of the students’ (as well as other human beings)’ personalities which could be the underlining factor in their behaviour. She explained that students who are the University’s number one customer, have diverse personalities, the same way all humans have different fingerprints. She encouraged all participants to never expect all students to behave the same way. She highlighted the different types of personalities, explained the concept of psychic durability – a concept which measures the extent to which the elasticity of an individual’s mental ability can be stretched before breaking; and Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning Domains for different students.

The two-day training also featured the following presentations:

The 2-training workshop continued on Friday, September 8, 2023, with presentations from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development Services, Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa; Deputy Registrar, Staff Training and Development Centre, Mrs. Aderonke Asiwaju; Prof. Charles Umeh of the Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Prof. Khalid Adekoya of the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science.

Prof. Atsenuwa spoke on “University of Lagos Policy on Sexual Harassment. Sexual & Romantic Relations”. She expounded on the guiding principles of UNILAG’s Sexual Harassment. Sexual & Romantic Relations Policy, the scope of the Policy, its objectives, definitions, guidelines surrounding Consensual Romantic or Sexual Relationship, the university’s responsibilities, who and to whom sexual harassments can be made to; methods of reporting sexual harassment and methods of dealing with sexual harassment. She also explained the mode of appeals, external mechanisms put in place to deal with sexual harassment; procedural matters as well as the existing and proposed structures on campus to deal with sexual harassmeMrs. Asiwaju spoke on “Promoting Proper Staff and Students Relationship”. She spoke on proper and improper conducts within the context of staff-student relationship; the meaning of student and staff relationship; the causes of poor staff – student relationships; the benefits of promoting proper staff and student relationship and the various ways of promoting staff-students relationship. She noted that student-teacher relationships foster a welcoming environment and produce success for both the student and the educator.

Prof. Umeh presented a paper on “Interpersonal Skills and Human Relations”. He stated the meaning of human relations to be “all types of interaction among people.” He further discussed human relations in the workplace, interpersonal skills – its variety, the skills particular to course advisers, faculty officers and sub-deans, personality characteristics, emotional intelligence, effective communication between participants and students. He rounded off his presentation with an interactive session during which participants discussed two case studies.

Mrs. Asiwaju spoke on “Promoting Proper Staff and Students Relationship”. She spoke on proper and improper conducts within the context of staff-student relationship; the meaning of student and staff relationship; the causes of poor staff – student relationships; the benefits of promoting proper staff and student relationship and the various ways of promoting staff-students relationship. She noted that student-teacher relationships foster a welcoming environment and produce success for both the student and the educator.

Prof. Umeh presented a paper on “Interpersonal Skills and Human Relations”. He stated the meaning of human relations to be “all types of interaction among people.” He further discussed human relations in the workplace, interpersonal skills – its variety, the skills particular to course advisers, faculty officers and sub-deans, personality characteristics, emotional intelligence, effective communication between participants and students. He rounded off his presentation with an interactive session during which participants discussed two case studies.

In his presentation titled “Mentoring Students for Outstanding Performance” by Prof. Adekoya talked about the University of Lagos, its vision and mission; defined mentoring; outlined the responsibilities of a mentor, the mentoring process, types of mentoring techniques and mentoring styles. He delved into the skills a mentor needs to acquire, strategies for effective mentor-mentee relationship, and the importance of mentorship. He affirmed that a strong mentor-mentee relationship can have a significant impact on the personal, academic, and professional growth of the students/mentee.

The successful two-day training was brought to a close with an interactive session and a closing ceremony.

MySchoolNews reporting.