Prof. Tayibat Odunola, the Dean, Postgraduate School, University of Ilorin, has called for reform of postgraduate studies in federal universities.
Odunola suggested for the adoption of the postgraduate studies model in private universities to achieve a knowledge-based economy.
He gave this advice on Tuesday in Ilorin while participating at the First Virtual General Meeting of the Committee of Provosts and Deans of Postgraduate Colleges and Schools.
The theme of the meeting was entitled: “Administration of Postgraduate Colleges and Schools in Times Like These”.
The don identified insecurity, global economic recession, unemployment, poverty, disillusionment with education, strikes, inflation and scarcity of hard currency as some factors currently plaguing postgraduate studies administrators and students.
In the light of these, she called on the association to set up a committee that would move postgraduate studies in Nigeria forward.
She noted that increase in school fees and separate remuneration for postgraduate lecturers and administrators would result in stable calendar and graduation.
Speaking further, Odunola proposed hybrid examination in postgraduate defence along with dual supervision by academic supervisors and industry experts.
“This will introduce critical thinking and innovative ideas into postgraduate studies as part of a total overhaul of Postgraduate Curricula in order to create more entrepreneurs to drive the economy,” she said.
In his presentation, the lead paper presenter, Prof. Ike Odimegwu, who is the Director of Academic Planning (DAP) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, noted that the postgraduate school is important in Nigerian universities.
He explained that this is because most of the researches happen at the Postgraduate level and the postgraduate school is the unit that guarantees the quality of postgraduate research, which usually goes on at the departmental level.
Odimegwu, who is also the immediate past Dean of the Postgraduate School in the university, noted that while it is easy to source for students from across the nation and beyond, insecurity is currently a major factor that prevents students from attending their preferred universities for postgraduate studies in Nigeria. (NAN)
