A two-day Conference of Deans of Student’s Affairs of Tertiary institutions in Nigeria has begun in Awka, the Anambra State Capital.

The event commenced on June 20 in Awka.

Stanley Chidi Udedi, the national president and dean of Student Affairs, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, host of the conference, said the conference would explore ways of sustaining peace- building and crisis management in the various institutions of higher learning in the country.

He noted that the tone for the conference was set during the second global summit in Rome in 2014.

The body according to him is challenged to enter into partnership with students, non-governmental organisations and other university administrators to reduce crisis in the institutions of higher learning to the barest minimum.

Udedi explained that the situation of students all over the country were characterised by increased uncertainty and a lack of trust in the future.

Speaking on the theme: “Managing Crisis and Sustaining Peace On Our Campuses,’’  Emeka Ezeonu, a former dean of Student Affairs,  Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and current resident electoral commissioner in Imo state, outlined various areas of conflict in institutions of higher learning, their causes and how to handle them.

Ezeonu, who was one time vice-chancellor, Hezekiah University in Imo State, blamed years of neglect of education in the country, moral depravity and inadequate attention to policy frameworks within the education sector.

“To mitigate conflicts and sustain peace, there should be improved funding of education at all levels.

“There should also be adequate teaching and learning materials,  proper consultation with stakeholders in evolving policies and encouraging of private partnership in running the nation’s institutions,’’ Ezeonu said.

He, then, counselled the deans to be prompt in response to crises in their institutions, urging them to be friends with the students in departments and faculties and to receive information for timely intervention during crisis.

– June 22, 2018 @ 13:11 GMT |