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Strike looms in universities as unions give 7-day ultimatum over unpaid salaries

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10 months ago

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Nigerian University

Strike looms in universities as unions give 7-day ultimatum over unpaid salaries

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a one-week ultimatum for the federal government to pay the unions’ members’ withheld salaries or risk an industrial action.

This is as the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) also has asked the government to pay its members the remaining part of their withheld salaries.

In a statement jointly signed by SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, the workers asked the government to pay the withheld salaries like their academic counterparts who were paid four months out of the arrears of several months.

JAC said it had written protest letters to the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the exclusion of the non-academic staff when the government decided to pay part of the withheld salaries but that the letters were not responded to two weeks after it was submitted.

“We, therefore, use this opportunity once again to call on the federal government to do the needful within the next seven days as the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU should not be held responsible should the wheel of administration and corporate governance be grounded to a halt in the university sector, as we have exercised enough patience,” part of the statement reads.

The statement added: “If nothing is done by the federal government to positively address this situation and respond to our previous letters to them, the members of the two unions may be forced to meet soon to take all lawful and stringent decisions on the matter.”

JAC said it had done everything possible within its power to prevail on its members to maintain industrial peace and tranquility.

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“While we appreciate the federal government for paying our academic counterpart, we also deem it necessary that our members are also paid,” the statement said, adding that the unions can no longer guarantee industrial harmony on the campuses should the government fail to pay them.

In 2022, two months after ASUU commenced a nationwide strike, both SSANU and NASU also embarked on nationwide industrial action that further crippled activities across the campuses.

The action was to protest the government’s failure to fulfill its promises to the workers and what they described as gross underfunding of the universities.

At the time, the former administration of President Muhammadu Buhari invoked a ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy and withheld the workers’ salaries.

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) also took part in the strike at the time.

SSANU queried the rationale behind the government’s insistence on the “no work, no pay policy,” saying that due process was followed before embarking on the strike that lasted for four months. Till the end of his tenure, Buhari never authorised the payment of the workers.

However, in October 2023, Tinubu announced that his government would pay four months of the withheld salaries to members of ASUU, immediately raising concerns as to the fate of the members of the other unions.

The National Vice President of SSANU, Abdussobur Salaam, said at the time that the directive appeared to be selective in favour of a single union out of others whose members’ salaries were withheld.

He said the president’s directive if not reviewed to include SSANU and other unions could be a recipe for disaster as he threatened another round of strikes if SSANU members’ withheld salaries were not paid alongside that of ASUU.

Meanwhile, CONUA has asked the federal government to pay its members the remaining part of their withheld salaries.

The academic union, a breakaway from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) asked the government to stop lumping up its members’ issues with those of ASUU members, saying its members had consistently denied being on strike while the ASUU strike lasted in 2022.

The latest position is contained in a statement issued by CONUA and signed by its National President, ‘Niyi Sunmonu, who commended President Tinubu for paying four months from the almost eight months’ withheld salaries of universities’ academic staff.

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The statement titled: ‘State of the Nation, Payment of Four Months out of Seven and a Half Months’ Withheld Salaries, Stagnation of Remuneration of Academics, and Call for Negotiations,” CONUA urged the President to speed up his efforts and interventions aimed at repositioning the country for good and to address the pains of the poor due to economic hardship.

The statement reads in part: “Our union, CONUA, has consistently maintained that it never declared and was not part of any strike action.

“Since CONUA neither called for nor joined any strike, withholding the three and a half months salaries of members of the union contravenes Section 43 (1b) of the Trade Disputes Act CAP. T8, which states that “where any employer locks out his workers, the workers shall be entitled to wages and any other applicable remunerations for the period of the lock-out and the period of the lock-out shall not prejudicially affect any rights of the workers being rights dependent on the continuity of the period of employment”. This provision is consistent with global best practices. In conclusion on this, CONUA demands that the process of paying these outstanding months be kick-started immediately to ensure lasting peace in our ivory towers.”

In 2022, the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari invoked a ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy and withheld the workers’ salaries during the eight-month strike.

The workers’ unions that had their members’ salaries withheld at the time include ASUU and CONUA.

Others are: NASU, SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

However, in October, Tinubu announced that his government would pay four of the withheld salaries to members of ASUU, immediately raising concerns as to the fate of the members of the other unions.

Last week, the federal government began paying the academics – ASUU and CONUA – leaving out the non-academic staff.

Strike looms in universities as unions give 7-day ultimatum over unpaid salaries

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Canadian province opens 2025 government internship programs for international students

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4 days ago

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December 25, 2024

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Canadian province opens 2025 government internship programs for international students

The Government of Prince Edward Island (PEI), a Canadian province, is inviting applications for its 2025 Internship Program.

This opportunity allows international students and recent graduates to gain experience working within the provincial government.

The internship program, which is a one-year temporary job assignment, offers participants the chance to build skills and gain professional experience in various PEI government departments.

According to the Prince Edward Island, the program also provides access to workshops, networking events, and other professional development resources to help interns grow in their careers.

The PEI internship program is set to begin in May 2025 and runs for one year. Interns will have the opportunity to work in multiple government departments, participating in workshops and professional development activities. These include career planning, conflict management, emotional intelligence, and training on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), as well as anti-racism in the workplace.

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Additionally, the program provides a platform for;

  • Networking,
  • Helping interns to connect with government professionals and
  • Build valuable relationships within the public service sector.
  • Interns will also receive support to help them understand eligibility for government jobs and navigate potential future opportunities in the public service.

Eligibility and application requirements 

To be eligible for the program, applicants must have completed a;

Post-secondary program within the past 36 months. Additionally,

  • Candidates should be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible for a Canadian work permit.
  • International students who meet these requirements are encouraged to apply.

Applications are currently being accepted, and interested candidates must submit their applications through the official PEI Internship Program Portal.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held on March 4th and 5th, 2025. The internship program will begin in May 2025.

How to apply and important dates 

Applicants can apply online through the official PEI Internship Program Portal.

Additional details, including position descriptions and participating departments, are available on the official website of the Government of PEI.

 

Canadian province opens 2025 government internship programs for international students

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Education

Two ex-VCs, JAMB registrar to attend Prof. Ibraheem UNILAG inaugural lecture Wed  

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2 weeks ago

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December 15, 2024

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Two ex-VCs, JAMB registrar to attend Prof. Ibraheem UNILAG historic inaugural lecture Wed  

  • History beckons as Mass Comm alumnus delivers inaugural lecture Wed

History will be made this week Wednesday December 18, 2024 at University of Lagos when an alumnus of the university’s Mass Communication Department, Ismail Adegboyega Ibrahim, professor of journalism and communication studies, will deliver inaugural lecture as a lecturer of the department.

Ibraheem, a 1990 graduate of the university, returned to the institution in 2011 as a lecturer.

It is the first time a former student of the department will be delivering an inaugural lecture 58 years after its establishment.

Ibraheem, director of International Relations, Partnerships and Prospects at the UNILAG, will speak on “Casino Journalism and the End of History.”

The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, will chair the event, according to a statement from the institution.

Two former vice-chancellors of the university, Professor Rahamon Bello and Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, are expected to grace the lecture along with the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, among others.

The lecture is scheduled for 4pm at the J.F. Ade. Ajayi Auditorium, UNILAG, Akoka.

Members of the University Community and general public are invited to join the lecture physically or virtually via Zoom Meeting ID:862 1255 2361.

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Austria offers scholarship grant for int’l postgraduate, research students

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2 weeks ago

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December 12, 2024

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Austria offers scholarship grant for int’l postgraduate, research students

The Republic of Austria is offering an opportunity for international postgraduate students, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral researchers through the Ernst Mach Scholarship 2025.

Managed by OeAD-GmbH, Austria’s agency for education, this scholarship aims to support talented individuals in advancing their academic and research careers in Austria.

Details of the scholarship program 

According to OeAD, the Ernst Mach Scholarship is open to students and researchers from various academic disciplines. This includes areas such as;

  • Natural sciences
  • Technical sciences
  • Human medicine
  • Health Sciences
  • Agricultural sciences
  • Social sciences
  • Humanities, and arts.

The scholarship provides funding for semester or one-year grants, with research grants lasting from one to nine months, making it accessible to a broad range of applicants.

Benefits of the Ernst Mach scholarship 

The scholarship offers numerous benefits to successful applicants.

  • Recipients will receive a monthly stipend of €1,300 for the duration of their stay in Austria.
  • Accommodation assistance is available, with affordable housing options ranging from €330 to €800 per month.
  • OeAD will also provide administrative support to help applicants find suitable housing.

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Grant holders will receive guidance on obtaining health insurance accepted in Austria, with a cost ranging from €55 to €200 per month. The scholarship also waives tuition fees at public universities, further reducing the financial burden on participants.

A travel subsidy of up to €1,200 is available for applicants from eligible developing countries, with travel invoices required for reimbursement. Moreover, recipients will have the opportunity to build valuable connections with top researchers and institutions in Austria, which can significantly enhance their academic and professional networks.

Eligibility criteria for applicants 

The Ernst Mach Scholarship is open to early-career academics who are passionate about advancing their research. To be eligible, applicants must be;

  • Postgraduate students pursuing a PhD outside Austria or postgraduates and postdoctoral researchers looking to conduct research in Austria.
  • Additionally, postdocs employed at universities outside Austria are also eligible to apply.
  • Applicants must be 35 years old or younger (born on or after October 1st, 1989) and should not have lived, studied, or worked in Austria for more than six months prior to applying.
  • Proficiency in English or German is required to ensure effective communication during the research process.

How to apply for the Ernst Mach Scholarship 

To apply for the Ernst Mach Scholarship 2025, interested individuals must visit the official OeAD-GmbH website.

The application deadline is February 1st, 2025. Applicants should ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements and submit all required documents before the deadline.

 

Austria offers scholarship grant for int’l postgraduate, research students

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