The University of Abuja Vice Chancellor, Prof Abdul-Rasheed Na'Allah seeks meeting with UniAbuja Student Union Government (SUG).
He made the statement in reply to the SUG Communique on the different challenges confronting the students released on the school email community after a meeting with the Student Representative Assembly, the Judiciary, Council of President, Class Governors forum and the student stakeholders on Saturday 30th 2021.
The communique says, "The Student Union Body had an elaborate discussion regarding the state of the union and all the members in attendance contributed immensely to how to proffer solutions to different challenges confronting the entire students of the great UofA as they are set to resume.
The Students' Union President addressed major issues concerning student's welfarism that need urgent attention with an immediate alacrity.
He also briefed the entire house on the numerous efforts the union have been making towards creating a comfortable and affordable learning environment for the students. The major items that concerned student's well-being as discussed are;
i. Closure of Portal
ii. Extension of the Examination date
iii. Review of the College of Health Science Student's school fees.
iv. Resumption of the Hostel before February 1st.
v. Covid19 Task Force Committee.
vi. Virtual classes and the summer classes.
The Union President threw light to the house on the outcome of different meetings and series of discussions with the School Management led by the Vice Chancellor and Dean of Student's Affairs in addressing the aforementioned challenges. The issue of opening of Portal and extension of Examination date were tabled but vehemently resisted by Vice Chancellor and the Dean of Student's Affairs on the ground that the Union had been granted the plea twice before the global pandemic and ASUU Strike usurped the process.
The Union Representative proceeded to meet and appeal to the Pro Chancellor of UofA to intervene on the issues and at the end, it was agreed that:
1. For those who have paid but couldn't register, the portal will be opened for them as from (28th of January, 2020), there are about 1500 students that will enjoy this benefits.
2. For those who have not paid at all, they should apply to the Deputy Registrar Academic immediately, stating reasons for the delay (in writing or as a mail), access to the portal will likely be given to them individually based on merit of their reasons.
The emergency Union meeting deliberated on the responses of the School Management and other issues that are crucial to the well-being of the students.
The opening of portal; the extension of examination date; the review of school fees ahead next session and necessary stakeholders (ASUU, NASU, SSANU, NAT, PARENT AND THE SUG) should be involved in the review process; Review of college of health science school fees for this Session; No payment of late registration on what so ever categories.
After series of intellectual engagement among the student's Stakeholders of UofA, below are our resolutions and the demands that we want school Management to attend to in the next 24 Hours.
1. Reopening and Extension of school fees payment portal till the end of the session.
2. No late Payment of any registration fee including add and drop.
3. Review of school fee charges ahead of next session and review of college of Health Science fees for current session.
4. Postponement of first semester examination date till 8th of March 2021.
The reasons behind the above resolutions and demand are;
1. Reopening and Extension of School Fess Payment Portal till the End of the Session:
The University of Abuja recently made an upward increment in the fees of the University of Abuja with over 50% and more than 100% in some faculties, which made it very difficult for some students to pay due to lack of finances from parents, sponsors and individual who pay the fee themselves, they should be considered as Nigerians who also deserve proper education.
The current Economy hardship in the country is another reason why the union saw the necessity for this extension, the integrated portal of the university is a new portal which a lot of students are having different technical challenges which have made them unable to pay till date, and most of those issues have not been rectified in many cases.
2. No late registration fee including add and drop:
After an unexpected upward increment on the fee and the effects of Coronavirus Pandemic on every single Nigerians, it will be inhumane for the university of Abuja Management to inconsiderably announce commencement of late registration fee.
3. Review of school fees ahead of next session:
The process through which fees and charges are formerly increased in UofA has become so unfair, unbalanced and undemocratic, here is a Federal Government University, and crucial decisions should be made with the inputs of all the necessary stakeholders in the academic system.
4. Postponement of first-semester examination date till 8th of March 2021:
Many students did not even have opportunity to receive lectures when the semester started before the Coronavirus pandemic changed the narrative due to busy schedules of many lecturers, this has placed a big obstacle to the ability of the students to adequately prepare for the forthcoming examination. They will need some times to be attended to by their tutors.
On the above premises, we sincerely appeal for the swift consideration and cooperation of the school management as any form of intimidation, oppression and extortion will be vehemently resisted
The Vice Chancellor said, 'I will be asking for a meeting with SUG on Sunday or Monday on the issues and I believe that we will be able to march forward without crisis in the great UofA as we resolve our matters peacefully.
Recall that, Uniabuja Channel has earlier reported the issue of late registration charges which as cause a lot of reaction on social media since yesterday after a statement released by the Deputy Registrar (Academics) on the school email community on Thursday
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