Undergraduates of Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State have been introduced to a scheme for understudying their lecturers so as to learn the elements of teaching, research and scholarship.
RU students will observe academics at work, co-author papers and attend conferences with their teachers. This initiative is designed to make students understand rubrics in their fields of study so they can succeed in education and prepare for life after school.
Vice Chancellor of Ritman University, Prof Celestine Ntuen, disclosed this during a Management Retreat on Wednesday 20th September, 2017 at the university conference hall. He also revealed that the institution offers opportunities for staff and students to develop entrepreneurial ventures. Members of the university community, he said, will have entrepreneurship days earmarked for finding solutions to common problems, suggesting service improvements and sharing business ideas. Prof Ntuen also encouraged staff to submit competitive proposals as the most viable submissions among them will receive start-up grants of up to fifty thousand Naira from the school.
The VC also made it known that Ritman University has a pan-Nigerian population with students from Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States. He charged lecturers to demonstrate all details in class using PowerPoint projections with graphs, charts and pictorials for students to gain new insights, skills, attitudes and applied knowledge for innovation.
Another initiative of benefit to Ritman University staff and students are Interdisciplinary Seminars which will be avenues for collaboration across disciplines and increasing joint research as well as publications from members of the campus community. RU has a Directorate of Consultancy with a mandate to generate and receive entrepreneurial ideas.
The management retreat is an annual event for the leadership team at RU to take stock of activities over the past academic year and make plans for the next academic session. The first RU Management Retreat was held at Ibom e-library in Uyo on 9th September, 2016, with former University of Uyo Vice Chancellor, Prof Comfort Ekpo, and other experienced academics in attendance to contribute ideas for growth of the young university.
Edidiong Esara 21/09/17
