ASUP also demanded the release of a second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment intervention fund and the immediate capture of members’ peculiar academic allowance, among other issues. (NAN)
Polytechnic lecturers ultimatum to FG expires, set for strike
The 15-day ultimatum issued by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) to the Federal Government to meet its demands is set to expire on Oct. 23.
The group had threatened to embark on strike should the government fail to address the contentious new scheme of service for polytechnic lecturers across the country.
As the deadline approaches, more lecturers have endorsed the ASUP National Executive Council’s (NEC) position to mobilise members to withdraw their services once the ultimatum expires.
Dr Iloma Richard, ASUP Zone D Coordinator, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Wednesday that the government has yet to address the contentious issues in the new guidelines.
Richard said that ASUP had suspended its planned industrial action on July 22, following the Federal Government’s intervention, which mandated the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to review the disputed guidelines.
“The strike was suspended to create the necessary environment for the speedy resolution of all contentious issues through the stakeholder engagement process.
“Regrettably, as I speak, no progress has been made in this direction due to the obvious reluctance of NBTE.
“The union has also noted, with regret, a similar attitude of the government towards other welfare needs of the union’s members,” he said.
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The union leader highlighted the alleged disregard for quality control in polytechnic education, warning that, if allowed to persist, it would lead to the collapse of technical and vocational education in the country.
According to him, polytechnic lecturers in Zone D, comprising the South-South and South-East states, would withdraw their services once ASUP’s NEC issues such a directive.
“This position has been articulated by our national leadership and formally communicated to all relevant authorities, with a subsisting 15-day ultimatum effective from Oct. 8.
“We shall not hesitate to swiftly mobilise our members from all chapters in the zone if, upon the expiration of the ultimatum, NEC directs any form of industrial action,” Richard added.
NAN reports that the contentious issues in the new scheme include the delayed stakeholders’ engagement on the scheme of service and the non-release of the stakeholders-validated Condition of Service for polytechnics.
Other issues include the inconsistent provisions of the Federal Polytechnic Act and the laws establishing state-owned institutions, particularly concerning the appointment of principal officers.
Additionally, concerns were raised over the delayed implementation of a 35 per cent and 25 per cent salary review for state-owned polytechnics, as well as the release of arrears for federal polytechnics.
ASUP also demanded the release of a second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment intervention fund and the immediate capture of members’ peculiar academic allowance, among other issues. (NAN)
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;
To be eligible for the program, applicants must have completed a;
Post-secondary program within the past 36 months. Additionally,
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.
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.
Two ex-VCs, JAMB registrar to attend Prof. Ibraheem UNILAG historic 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.
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.
According to OeAD, the Ernst Mach Scholarship is open to students and researchers from various academic disciplines. This includes areas such as;
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.
The scholarship offers numerous benefits to successful applicants.
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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.
The Ernst Mach Scholarship is open to early-career academics who are passionate about advancing their research. To be eligible, applicants must be;
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.
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