Education
Why Nigerian varsities are not among world best — NUC
Poor funding is the main reason Nigerian universities are not ranked among the best in the world, Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, has said.
He however said the commission was planning to put in place stringent measures to curtail the proliferation of universities, especially by state governors and ensure adequate funding for universities.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has also lamented that teaching staff are taking over their jobs through the composition of committees by the university management where the teaching staff are made to head such committees.
The NUC executive secretary spoke in Abuja when the leadership of SSANU paid him a visit in his office, in Abuja, the NUC Executive Secretary advised the association to ensure that any time it was entering into any agreement with the Federal Government, such an agreement should be one that will be implementable.
Explaining why Nigerian universities were not among the highly ranked universities in the world, Prof Rasheed said funding had become a key challenge.
He said, “Once a university loses reputation, it has lost everything. The NUC may come up with stringent measures on establishing state universities because some of the state-owned universities are not well funded.”
He noted with regret that in a particular university in the South-South, the state government released to the management about N452 million to run the institution in the previous year, and later slashed the money the next year to N91 million, with a further slash to N40 million.
“I am not sure they are paying salary to staff regularly. Some private universities are sick already,” he said, pointing out that a particular private university had not paid salary to staff for one and half years.
On the concern raised by SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, who led the delegation that state governors were proliferating universities as if it had become a constituency project, the NUC boss said the governors were interested in leaving a legacy but not investing in the established universities.
He, however, expressed optimism that the new NUC Act would give the commission more powers, unlike the existing one, adding that there should be a master plan to be submitted and approved by the commission before any new university was established.
He debunked the claim that some of the commissions set up by the NUC in the universities were dominated by teaching staff, against non-teaching staff.
Speaking earlier, SSANU President, Comrade Ibrahim, lamented that some of the jobs meant for non-teaching staff were being taken over by teaching staff.
He said the association believed in excellent service and doing things in the right way, adding that the voices of members of SSANU would only be heard when necessary.
He said, “Our members are becoming more and more troubled by the recent developments coming out of the university system. Our members’ jobs are being taken over by so many committees in the universities.
“There is the issue of non-payment of salaries, especially for our members in state universities. Some have not received salaries for up to six months, yet we hear that NUC is giving accreditation to new state universities.
“NUC should ensure that our members are not languishing in their offices. We are also disturbed over the negative development of nonuniformity in the conditions of service in the universities. This is happening to the morale of our members. We call for a uniform standard in the universities.”
Education
Canadian province opens 2025 government internship programs for international students
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
Education
Two ex-VCs, JAMB registrar to attend Prof. Ibraheem UNILAG inaugural lecture Wed
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.
Education
Austria offers scholarship grant for int’l postgraduate, research students
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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