The joy of parents, whose children and wards are schooling in the University has heightened, following the normalization of the Academic Calendar by the University.
Their excitement might not be unconnected with the feat that UNAAB had successfully recorded for completing the 2010/2011 Academic Session while other Universities are still battling to complete their First Semester examinations.
Indications that the Academic Calendar will suffer a major set-back emerged when Unions in the University, especially, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on a prolonged strike, to press home their demands for better conditions of service.
The protracted strike which triggered their fears, stemmed from the attendant implications, prompting many to share the consensus that it would be extremely difficult for normalcy to be restored to the distorted, academic sessions.
Checks by UNAAB Bulletin revealed that the Management of the University promptly swung into action by getting the support of staff and students, towards salvaging the situation.
According to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Chyrss Onwuka; Director, Academic Planning, Professor M. A. Waheed and Chairman ASUU, Dr. Olusiji Sowande, “the Academic Staff sacrificed their leave and time alongside with the Non-Teaching (staff) and Students” in their genuine bid to regularize the academic calendar.
The effort paid off when UNAAB normalized its academic calendar, which is a rare feet in the nation’s Ivory Towers.
The students and their lecturers are presently on break and when they resume, they are expected to start a new Academic Session.
Investigations by UNAAB Bulletin revealed that the outpouring of excitement by highly fulfilled parents and students have been trailing the normalization of the academic calendar.
A parent who could not hide her joy said, the “dividends of regularization have started rolling in. UNAAB students are now taking advantage of long vacation to work and save some money for school fees and feeding”.
“I saw one working with CONOIL, on Friday and by Saturday another one was involved in transport business. If possible, the University may keep tab and document particularly on how it will reduce cases of inability of students to pay school fees”, he added.
Besides, the prevailing rush for UNAAB as first choice by admission seekers might not be unconnected to its stable calendar.
Speaking during the Senate Luncheon, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun disclosed that over 22,000 JAMBITES made UNAAB their First choice as compared to low patronage some years back.