By: Ahmed Mohamed Kaikai
In response to the call of Ministry of Tertiary and Higher Education (MTHE) for the verification of academic credentials of staff and students, the Njala University Administration has on Saturday 14th May 2022 refused hundreds of postgraduate matriculants to sign the University Register.
This declaration was made by the Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Bashiru Mohamed Koroma in a well-attended matriculation ceremony marking the official entry of postgraduate students for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Addressing the new postgraduate students at the University auditorium at Njala Campus, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bashiru Koroma intimated the gathering that the University has commenced verification of academic credentials for students and staff of the University.
He revealed that the University Administration had reached an agreement that new postgraduate students must be scrutinized before they are awarded admission numbers.
Making a citation to the 2021 Universities Act, Professor Koroma told freshmen that the Universities Act gives Njala University the power to recall, verify, withhold or cancel the admission of any student who uses fake credentials to gain admission into the University.
“I want you to start your freshness in Njala University on the accord of the contemporary issue centered on the verification of all academic credentials,” Professor Koroma averred.
“The Universities Act of 2021 empowers NU to recall, review, withdraw and revisit all matters that are related to staff and students as they may so require,” Prof. added.
He further disclosed that in the process of executing such mandate, any individual found wanting of any irregularities, the University will withdraw its admission number and take action against such individual within the law.
“Because of the campaign for the verification of fake certificates and degrees, the new matriculants will not sign the University register until they are thoroughly verified before the commencement of all postgraduate exams on 13th June 2022,” he noted.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor encouraged fake staff and students to technically withdraw themselves before they are revivified.
“If you know that you are not supposed to be here please evaluating your eligibility before the University evaluates you,” he cautioned.
Responding to the question of the ineffectiveness of postgraduate lecturers, Professor Koroma urged students to report ineffective lecturers and other related matters to their respective School Deans and Heads of Department before the examination begins.
“Students should have the courage to report to the actual authorities issues that hinged on their academic work. Many a time students don’t report early, they only report when they are affected. Don’t wait until examinations start before you channel your complaints. Once the complaint is legitimate and addressed to the appropriate authorities, then action will be taken within the shortest time,” Acting VC&P revealed.
He admonished the new students to pay sixty per cent of their tuition before the commencement of examinations.
