Towards a World Class University Status: the Role Guidance and Counselling Services Prof. T. T. Olofintoye Director, C.C.H.D.

 World class University - high quality, students-centred, competitive, professional, creative, globalised, research and service oriented.  EKSU Centre for Counselling and Human Development was established by the 212 th senate in February,  This establishment was in compliance with NUC’s directive  Counselling is an academic support programme in the University.  The services are to be rendered by professional counsellors and clinical psychologists

 The University trains students in academics and character  There are varieties of programme for academic training  Much is still needed in character training and behaviour modification  Some maladjusted behaviours calling for G & C services include:  Alcoholism and drug abuse  Abortion  Co-habitation among students of opposite sex  Collapse of moral value  Cultism

 Examination malpractices  Extortion and violent tendencies against junior and female students  Indecent dressing  Internet fraud  Individual and gang rape  Poor academic performance  Stealing, burglary and armed rubbery  Sexual abuse  Vandalism  Wrong career choice

 Poor quality of teaching  Hostility in the name of discipline  Sexual harassment  Punishing students with marks  Extortion

 A. Educational/Academic Counselling  B. Career Guidance/Counselling  C. Personal-social Counselling  D. Marriage and Family Counselling  E. Financial Counselling  F. Health Counselling  G. Research and other Counselling related Activities.

 The services are rendered for students to understand:  themselves  the nature of the school environment,  how to cope with some challenges in the course of their studies  how to interact with their lecturers, administrative staff members, fellow students and the University Community at large.

 Centre with full-time Guidance Counsellors  Separate and conducive building as Counselling Centre  Counselling outreach offices in the Faculties  Functional budgetary allocation  Constant in-service training for counsellors

1. Imposed admission – need to always consider closely related alternative 2. CGPA withdrawal/change of course regulation - allowed only after 2 nd semester 200 level, e.g. this is a client’s experience from the Faculty of Science: 1 st Sem 100L GPA = warning 2 nd Sem 100L CGPA = warning 1 st Sem 200L CGPA = probation 2 nd Sem 200L CGPA = to withdraw In the words of the VC, this student has ‘expired’ We appeal that the regulation be amended to allow change of course at the end of 100 level 2 nd semester.

3. Multiple ‘carry overs’ and the issue of ‘the next available opportunity’. Some due to this attempt multiple exam papers within a single period. This has made some students to over stay and eventually loose their studentship due to accumulation of school fees and other factors. We plead for an arrangement for special re-sit examinations. Private Universities are doing it. 4. Delayed access to results. We plead that course advisers should be more accessible to students. 5. Hostility in the name of discipline and training. Academics and administrators should endevour to handle students in friendly manners as parents.

Necessary position papers may have to follow this presentation for due consideration at the appropriate quarters. We appeal for support. To attain the status of a world class University the learning environment should be students friendly and the centre for counselling and human development is ready to contribute highly to this without compromising standard Thanks Prof. T. T. Olofintoye Director, C.C.H.D.