Education
Talks with FG panel over strike fruitless – SSANU
The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions has said no tangible achievement was recorded at the Federal Government Renegotiation Panel.
Speaking in an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday, the National Vice-President, SSANU, Dr. Abdussobur Salaam, said the panel met only once with SSANU since it was inaugurated on March 7, 2022.
The PUNCH had reported that the committee, which was chaired by the Pro-Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Emeritus Prof. Nimi Briggs, was given three months to conclude the renegotiation with the four university unions and send the report to Federal Government.
The committee’s timeline ended on Monday.
It is believed that the committee will submit its report to the Federal Government this week or get an extension.
But Salaam explained that the Briggs committee’s engagements with SSANU had been minimal and the timeline was not being adhered to.
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He said, “Within the three months timeline, SSANU has only had one meeting with the Briggs renegotiation team. The meeting was held on Friday, April 8, 2022. Today, being June 7, makes it exactly two months ago.
“At the meeting, nothing tangible was put on the table. No offer was made by the government, particularly on improved conditions of service and welfare of our members.
“The government’s side seems not to be sure of itself and groping in the dark as far as its mandate is concerned.
“As of now, we have no reason to express satisfaction because even the paces of the discussions have been too slow. If it has taken two months after the first meeting with SSANU and no meeting has been called, it gives room to doubt the willingness and capacity of the committee to deliver on its mandate.”
He suggested that the panel be properly empowered to take decisions on behalf of the government.
Salaam said, “The Committee should be properly empowered to take decisions on behalf of the government. To be breathed down upon by government officials as the engagements with the committee suggest is not good for confidence building. They should show that they have a mandate to commit on behalf of the government.
“Similarly, the committee appears not to take cognisance of the timelines in the discharge of its assignment. Whatever the bottlenecks militating against the timelines should be removed.
“If we have only had one meeting within the three months timeline with nothing tangible being put on the table, it leaves much to be desired and it is highly unfortunate.”
When our correspondent contacted Briggs on the telephone for reactions on SSANU’s complaints and other issues, he declined comment, saying, “I don’t react to anything on telephone.”
SSANU’s strike started with a warning strike of two weeks which commenced on March 27, 2021, while the extension of another two weeks commenced on Sunday, April 10, 2022.
The union’s demands include the inconsistent issue of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, unpaid earned allowances, and delay in the renegotiation of FGN, NASU, SSANU agreements, and non-payment of minimum wage arrears.
Others include neglect and poor funding of state universities, non-payment of retirement benefits to outgoing members of the unions, and usurpation of the headship of non-teaching units in clear violation of conditions of service and establishment procedures, among others.
Education
FG approves NYSC mobilisation for all full-time HND graduates
FG approves NYSC mobilisation for all full-time HND graduates
The Federal Government has approved the mobilisation of all full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), ending years of exclusion from the scheme.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the decision on Thursday in Abuja, stating that only graduates of full-time HND programs would be eligible for mobilisation. The policy shift follows consultations with the Director-General of the NYSC and is aimed at promoting fairness in the education sector.
“The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to equity, fairness, and inclusivity in Nigeria’s education system,” Alausa said in a statement released by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo.
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To ensure smooth implementation, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has been directed to compile data on eligible HND graduates. A circular has also been issued to polytechnic rectors, instructing them to upload the necessary graduate records to a newly established HND admission portal, which will serve as the official database for NYSC mobilisation.
However, the minister clarified that part-time HND graduates remain ineligible for the scheme.
“This decision applies strictly to those who completed a full-time HND programme,” Alausa reiterated.
He urged all qualified graduates to take advantage of the opportunity and begin their mobilisation process immediately.
The move is expected to address long-standing concerns among polytechnic graduates and enhance their participation in national development through the NYSC scheme.
FG approves NYSC mobilisation for all full-time HND graduates
Education
Romanian university offers fully funded scholarships to non-EU and non-EEA students for 2025
Romanian university offers fully funded scholarships to non-EU and non-EEA students for 2025
Romanian university offers fully funded scholarships to non-EU and non-EEA students for 2025
Education
New Zealand university offers up to $10,000 scholarship for international students
New Zealand university offers up to $10,000 scholarship for international students
Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, is offering the Tongarewa International Scholarship, which provides financial assistance of up to $10,000 to international students for their first year of study.
The scholarship seeks to support students in covering part of their tuition fees at the university.
The Tongarewa International Scholarship is available to international students starting their studies at Victoria University of Wellington in Trimester 2 or Trimester 3 of 2025.
This partial fee-based scholarship is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, offering a maximum award of $10,000.
“This is a partial fee-based scholarship that will go towards tuition fees for one year of study. It is designed for new international students, who are entering their first year of undergraduate or postgraduate studies at Victoria University of Wellington,” the institution informs.
“Scholarships are awarded competitively on the basis of academic excellence”
Eligibility criteria for the scholarship
To be eligible for the Tongarewa International Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be new international students
- Students must also hold a Conditional or Unconditional Offer of Place for an eligible program at Victoria University of Wellington
- New students to Victoria University of Wellington
- Selected by the scholarship award panel (upon scholarship application)
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Applicants are not eligible for this scholarship if they:
- Completed their secondary education at a New Zealand school;
- Completed the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) or the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation Studies programme;
- Are a Study Abroad or Exchange student or a Twinning student from one of the institution’s overseas partner universities;
- Are in their second trimester or year of study in the same degree programme (returning students) at Victoria University of Wellington
Application process
Students interested in applying for the scholarship must submit an application demonstrating academic achievement and leadership potential.
Scholarship requirements
The following documentation must be provided as part of the online scholarship application:
- A personal statement of up to 500 words outlining why the applicant wishes to study at Victoria University of Wellington, their academic goals and why they merit the scholarship
- Applicants should also include any leadership positions and details of their involvement in their school or community
According to the institution, “this is a partial fee-based scholarship which is awarded competitively based on academic excellence and the student’s personal statement. A panel comprising appropriate Wellington University International staff will review the applications and award the scholarships.”
Details further inform that the amount of the stipend will be awarded as either $2,500; $5,000; $7,500 or $10,000.
The scholarship amount, according to the institution, will be credited to students’ accounts two weeks after the programme begins. It cannot be paid out before this date.
Once the scholarship is awarded, the decision is final and cannot be appealed.
“Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw,” the institution states.
Important deadlines
The deadline to apply for the scholarship is May 1st, 2025 for Trimester 2 and 1 August 2025 for Trimester 3. Applications must be submitted on the respective deadline dates.
For more details or to apply, students can visit the Victoria University of Wellington website.
New Zealand university offers up to $10,000 scholarship for international students
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