Class of 2019 - American University of Nigeria
Transcription
Class of 2019 - American University of Nigeria
www.aun.edu.ng Lamido Zubairu Way, Yola By-pass, P.M.B. 2250, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria Law Faculty Takes Shape F rom a dream to reality . . . well, almost! AUN has hired a Founding Dean and two Department Chairs and is writing the self-study accreditation document needed for accreditation by both the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Council of Legal Education. The University authorities are hopeful that the quality of infrastructure and tradition of academic excellence here will win over the assessors. A South Africa-based Nigerian legal luminary, Dr. Oladejo Justus Olowu, has resumed as dean of the new Faculty. Dr. Olowu, who was active in Nigerian law practice before going into university teaching, worked as Professor of Law and Director of Postgraduate Studies & Research at the North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa. President Ensign has welcomed Dr. Olowu’s appointment, praising his wealth of national and international experience and confident that he will help the Law program get off on a sound footing. On his vision for the new job, Professor Olowu said, “My focus is on how to jumpstart our Faculty of Law on a glorious scale. That must be our commitment.” Two pioneer heads of department have also been interviewed and hired, and will be resuming shortly. One of them, Dr. Joel Agbo Madaki, will be joining from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi. The second, Professor Sylvester Shikyil, comes to AUN from a distinguished career based at the University of Jos. The students will not only study the Nigerian curriculum, they will also register for the AUN 101 First Year Experience Seminar. The American liberal art curriculum will be infused in the first year of the program. To be admitted into the law program, candidates must score at least 200 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE: Pp. 10, 11, 12 Chasing Dreams at AUN: 2nd Decade Students Share Thoughts July - September 2015 • 77th Edition (UTME), moderated by the Joint Admissions & Matriculation Board (JAMB). Five Senior School Certificate credits, including Mathematics and English, are required at the Ordinary Level. The Law Faculty will be awarding a Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) at the culmination of a five-year program— 197 credit hours—and a student must have at least 1.49 CGPA to maintain a good academic standing. Also, all the faculty members must be called to the Nigerian Bar, and they must have a doctorate degree in Law. Dream Chasing Class of 2019 A Class of 2019 Ushering AUN into 2nd Decade UN’s Class of 2019 has arrived full of hope, determination and ambition. With admission figures up, the University authorities are working hard to add more undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the next few years, with law, engineering and medicine being the priority. The Fall 2015 semester kicked off on a very high note following the hasslefree check-in of new students on August 19. Check-in is an eight-step process that includes the welcome desk as well as desks for admissions, finance, IT, housing and ID card, academic registration, health, and student activities and athletics. In her welcome message to the students, President Ensign said, “AUN’s primary goal during orientation is to make sure your transition into the University is smooth, exciting, informative, and enjoyable.” The new students attended events and programs to get acquainted with coursework, study skills, academic expectations, life in the residence halls, student activities, and the University’s Code of Conduct. Students also learn how to access the wide variety of resources available in the University’s award-winning Dr. Robert E. Pastor digital library. The Class of 2019 is the eleventh to walk on the campus. The maiden class, a group of 124 students, began classes in September 2005. Since then the University has been growing steadily. The Class of 2019 has members from 26 states in Nigeria as well as students from the United States, the United Kingdom, Rwanda, and Cameroon. July - September 2015 • 77th Edition President Ensign: AUN is Moving, Achieving, and Overseas-Connected P Class of 2019 taking AUN’s oath of absolute integrity Class of ’19 Takes AUN’s Oath of Absolute Integrity A UN had its Fall 2015 Pledge for new students during a convocation ceremony on August 26 that kicked off the 2015/16 academic year. The Assistant Vice President of Recruitment & Marketing, Mr. Linus Ikyurav, said no fewer than 26 states in Nigeria are represented in this class, as well as students coming from the United States, the United Kingdom, Rwanda, and Cameroon. The new intakes took the AUN community integrity pledge alongside their parents and other members of the University community. Such pledges, explained the President, are an American tradition dating back to the days of Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the United States and author of the American Declaration of Independence. The following pledge was administered by AUN President, Dr. Ensign: Today I vow to seek and speak only the truth and to demand of myself the absolute integrity that I have a right to expect of everyone at American University of Nigeria. This I pledge, for the sake of Nigeria, for the sake of Africa, for the sake of our futures, and in service to community and country, with you and to you, my fellow members of the American University of Nigeria. Dr. Ensign stated, “The reasons for excellence and integrity are not at all abstract. They have everything to do with the future of this institution, with the value of your degree, with your future as graduates of AUN. If AUN continues to be known throughout Nigeria, throughout this continent, as a place of high and uncompromising standards of academic integrity and excellence, of genuine world-class education, we shall be a beacon to the region, the nation, and to the continent.” New students and their families 2 resident Ensign has assured new students and their parents that the University is marching steadily ahead. She was speaking at an orientation program for new students and their parents on August 20. H i g h - Proud parent, Mr. Anele l i g h t i n g Nwokoma, poses with his some AUN daughter, Praise achievements over a decade of its existence, Dr. Ensign said the University is expanding quite rapidly. Dr. Ensign also told the audience that AUN is affiliated to other universities abroad, such as the Association of International American Colleges & Universities (AIACU) and the Global Liberal Arts Alliance (GLAA). There are more than 55 institutions around the world where students can study abroad as a result of AUN’s membership in these associations. “Even though we are the only American-style University in sub-Sahara Africa, we are not alone. We are part of a very large and expanding international organization and this University holds the Vice Presidency of AIACU. So while we are in Yola, not at the center of Nigeria, we are certainly connected with the rest of the world, to very important international institutions.” The President went on to explain AUN’s commitment to every student who enrolls, describing learning at AUN as first-class education “…by faculty members who are committed to each one of you…. We believe that we are educating the future leaders of what will be the third largest country in the world.” Even upon a student’s graduation from AUN, the student is still a member of the family: “The point is we never lose you. We keep in touch with our students even when they graduate. You’ve joined an institution that will stay with you if you want us to, for your whole professional career. It’s not just four years, pay your tuition, we give you an education, we give you a diploma.” Inspiring Words as President Hosts New Students, Parents A warm evening breeze, soft music, students and faculty members exchanging pleasantries, coupled with the aroma of mouth-watering food which pervaded the evening at the President’s welcome dinner for both parents and new students on August 20. The night was filled with laughter mostly from new students who obviously savored the idea of being comfortable with their instructors, uncommon in the Nigerian university system. President Ensign welcomed the new students and their parents, teasing that for that night she chose to be a parent. She understood, she said, that it was not an easy moment in their lives, leaving their children, but that, “You are leaving them with faculties who are world-class.” Class of 2015 alumna, Ms. Lucy Okonkwo, captured everyone’s attention as she encouraged the new students. Ms. Okonkwo, who graduated with honors in Economics, is now working at the AUN Writing Center. A parent, Mr. Musa Bindawa from Katsina, applauded AUN for providing state-of-the-art facilities and a favorable learning environment. His wife Aishatu expressed confidence that AUN will impact positively on their daughter. Another parent, Mr. Gaje from Yobe State, who attended the event with his wife, was proud to become part of the AUN community. He also expressed confidence that his son will be enriched with wisdom from a world-class faculty. He promised to sell AUN to other Nigerian parents out there. Vice President of Campus Life and Dean of Student Affairs, Mr. Byron Bullock, sharing his expectations with the students, urged them to be determined, faithful, and confident as they embark on this new pursuit. President Ensign, below, and Dean Bullock, at right, greet new students We’ll Nurture Your Kids into Ready-to-Lead Adults, VP Bullock Assures Parents V ice President Byron Bullock has given an assurance that parents should expect transformation in the life of their children as they become undergraduates. Dean Bullock, who addressed the parents of new intakes during their orientation on August 20, explained that transition to college comes with many changes. “The children that you are dropping off today are not the same adults who will return to you at the end of the semester or at the end of the year. They will go through a transformation as they learn to be independent and start to make their own decisions. They will change because of the interactions and the experiences that they’ve had.” Assuring the parents that their wards are in safe hands, Dean Bullock said that the young students will develop academically and socially. “As an American-style university, one of the things we focus on is the total development of the student. One of the things I know is that, whether I am talking to Nigerian parents, American parents, or European parents, we all want our children to get a good college education, get a job, take care of themselves, become independent, and be ready to take care of us when we get ready to retire. That’s what we all want.” “Even in the residence halls, we are preparing them for future experiences. Our goal is to make them even more independent each semester that they are here.” One of the avenues for achieving autonomy is by participating in different activities outside the classroom. “Their involvement in community development is so very important because it trains young people to understand the value of giving back.” 3 July - September 2015 • 77th Edition Center Holds Seminar on Writing Across the Curriculum T he Writing Center has organized a seminar for students on how to support their needs. The seminar, held on Sept 2, was on the newly introduced Writing Across the Curriculum initiative and AUN Senior Reading and Writing Exam. Director of The Writing Center, Ms. Mariana Silva-Abubakar, said the program will help students improve their writing and critical thinking skills. “AUN demands that all its graduates can write independently.” Ms. Silva-Abubakar began her presentation on what liberal arts education is, stating that individuals like Socrates, Plato, Usman Dan Fodio, and others who studied many subjects like Arts, Astronomy, Geology, and Literature had liberal minds. She stressed that the basic foundation of an individual’s study is writing and reading, and that the main goal of this initiative is to get every student to read and write at an academic level. “Looking at the initiative, questions like what, when, why, and how need to be asked.” She said Writing across the Curriculum (WAC) was developed in the US in the 1970s and 1980s because it was observed that graduates who had gone through the writing course in the system succeeded. A student who cannot write becomes dishonest in facing academic work. “When you don’t know what to write you plagiarize, use a ghost-writer, or buy your papers.” She assured the students that The Writing Center is there to help students become better writers. “Writing is a craft, it takes time to practice a craft, but the more you do it the better you become.” She explained that every course at AUN will henceforth have a writing component, “…to prepare students for their capstone signature project. Now the change that will happen is you will basically have two short and one long assignment in each of your classes, regardless of your discipline.” She also stressed the need for the senior reading and writing exam, saying regardless of what career AUN students choose as university graduates, they will be called upon to use English in various contexts—memo writing, correspondence, reports, grant proposals, and so on. Faculty Retreat Focuses on Learning Outcomes N ew and returning faculty members gathered at a retreat on August 22 to re-evaluate and re-assess learning outcomes in preparation for the fall 2015 semester. President Ensign, who welcomed the faculty members to another new academic year, emphasized the AUN motto of ‘Excellence, Integrity, and Service’, noting that it is a collective responsibility to work towards upholding those tenets. “As we begin AUN’s second decade let us reflect on our responsibilities. We have been given the opportunity to build and shape a critically important institution in Nigeria; we have been given the resources to accomplish these goals.” In this new academic year, emphasis will be on the Writing across Curriculum (WAC) program, which requires every course to have a significant writing component in its assessment structure as it is a critical part of AUN’s liberal arts education. WAC is spearheaded by Mariana Silva and interim Associate Dean, School of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Jacob U. Jacob. It was agreed that the writing component should constitute 20 percent of the 4 total course assessment. Dean Mathias Fonkam of SITC highlighted the instructional technologies: Canvas and WebEx, while the AVP Digital Services and Chief Information Officer, Mr. Julius Ayuk Tabe, spoke on the up-to-date technology on campus, advising everyone to partake in the on-going information literacy workshop on safe computing on the Internet organized by the Digital Services unit. The Executive Manager, Office of Institutional Research& Effectiveness, Dr. Fidelis Ndeh-Che, spoke on quality assurance, tasking faculty members to ply their teaching with discipline as they will be monitored for quality learning outcomes. Provost Steps Down, Returns to Teaching, Sustainability P rofessor Charles Reith has announced his decision to step down and return to full time teaching and coordination of AUNs sustainability program. Citing recent health problems, he said in an email to faculty: “After some discussion, the President and I agreed that the time has come for her to accept my resignation and for me to resume my duties as a “I will resume Professor of my active role Natural and as Director of Environmental Sciences and Sustainability… as a member my greatest of the SBE team and its passion.” exciting new gradate programs. I will also resume my active role as Director of Sustainability, which as you know is my greatest passion. In these capacities I hope to make fresh and rousing contributions to the University and our host community.” Prof Reith pledged the President his “unflagging support whenever she needs,” and asked faculty members “to extend to her the very same”. President Ensign responded for the AUN community with thanks and gratitude: “On behalf of all of us at AUN, I thank you for your outstanding service during this important and challenging time in AUN’s history. “We are all glad and grateful that you can remain as Professor in Natural and Environmental Science as well as SBE, and can continue the important work that you pioneered in Sustainability. “Thank you again and very best wishes”. Dr. Jacob in the classroom Classroom of the Future: AUN’s Tech Advantage L earning has evolved from chalk and board to flicking the computer screen and using search engines like Google and KOHA for answers. Teacher-student communication has evolved from handouts to use of operational software like DOS, Windows, UNIX Linux, and MacOS, running application software such as Canvas, Moodles, OpenERP, Skype, and emails for academic purposes. Indeed technology is the pen and paper of our time, and we have a generation growing up in a digital world. We have students who think differently. Students who use social media have an advantage and they expect so much from their learning environment. They tend to learn visually while also listening. The digital world has a great impact on their expectations of learning. Only few schools in Nigeria have successfully integrated educational technology into teaching. Students who integrate technology into their studies bridge the gap between physical space and cyberspace. Leading the revolutionary pack is the American University of Nigeria. Technology has made the learning environment boundless, and is slowly displacing teachers. “Gone are the Futuristic…high tech…the AUN library interior days when teachers were the embodiment of knowledge,” says the AUN Assistant Vice President of Digital Services and Chief Information Officer, Mr. Julius Ayuk Tabe. “Today we have the blended learning which can take place, anywhere, anytime, with anybody and any device. The blended learning system is a combination of the Learning Management System and Video Conferencing. The instructors teach via an application called WebEx and students can record their sessions for referencing and the instructor can still manage attendance, which is compulsory, and once in a while appear face-toface in the classroom.” Faculty and professional staff are increasingly using technology to create communities to foster the exchange of ideas, address difficult problems, and avoid intellectual or professional isolation to bridge the divide. “One of the LMS that AUN has tested to combat that segregation is the Canvas and Turnitin application – this application has drastically reduced plagiarism in the classroom,” says Mr. Ayuk-Tabe. In this age of digital learning students motivate instructors/lecturers to change their methods of instruction to be more interactive. Nigeria may not be ready for classrooms without chalk, as some remote areas still don’t even have the chalk as a few still use black board and charcoal. In contrast an article published by Business Day Online noted that, “With a population of 170 million, 130 million active lines, 66 million of which are used to access the Internet, Nigeria is the biggest internet market in Africa. Between 2000 and 2013, Internet penetration grew from a paltry 0.06 percent to 38 percent, teledensity is now 93 percent and there are indications that this trend will continue well into 2020”. (Source: BusinessDayOnline) Mr. Ayuk Tabe observed that before any University in Nigeria or Africa can meet the standards of AUN they have to be willing to spend on their bandwidth. “As small as this university is, we consume 110 megabyte per second, and you must have three components—the infrastructure, information system, and human resources to manage e-learning facilities—as well as steady electricity.” “People must have access to cost effective smart devices to enjoy e-learning, which is why the University is introducing “Library on a Flash” – this is an application with more than 500 open source books embedded in the flash. Unlike most schools that have a library, AUN operates a digital library and learning center.” “All academic materials are synchronized on an application called KOHA that substitutes the Google search engine. The difference between KOHA and Google is that KOHA helps to arrange databases and filter nonacademic materials.” We may slowly have come to embrace e-learning, but it has come to stay, and the Nigerian educational system should embrace it. By Nelly Ating Conference Sets Tech-Assisted Learning Agenda for Nigerian Universities A two-day conference on Technologyassisted Learning in Nigeria Higher Education, co-hosted by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and AUN, ended in Abuja on September 1, 2015, with a call to universities in the country to deploy existing ICT resources in sharing digital libraries. Attended by key officials of the Nigerian Government, diplomats and international aid partners, as well as key stakeholders in the higher education and ICT sectors, the delegates were unanimous that Nigerian universities should share their courses digitally with other universities, while utilizing technology to augment the traditional classroom and libraries. Other key recommendations were that: • ICT should be integrated in program curriculum to enable technology assisted delivery of university education; • Institutions should seek alternative sources of energy to address the epileptic power supply, which is a hindrance to technology-assisted learning; • Infrastructure in terms of bandwidth limitations should be improved; • A ‘League of Innovative Digital Universities’ should be created to promote a strong network of people interested in closing the Digital Technology Gap; and that • The NUC and Nigerian universities should build capacities of teachers to bring them up-to-date in utilizing ICT for pedagogy. On the conference’s objective, President Ensign said with a new government in Nigeria “we thought the timing was right to bring all the vice chancellors together and to correspond with the NUC to see how we can grapple with challenges and solutions of sharing digital resources among the universities. Chief Information Officer and AVP of Digital Resources, Mr. Julius Ayuk-Tabe said that the number of Vice Chancellors at the conference confirms the fact that technology is the only way to go, with learning in the 21st century”. “Technology is changing the way we teach and learn, providing anytime, anywhere and any-device possibilities, to the point where it can flip the notion of the classroom.” 5 July - September 2015 • 77th Edition Progressive Governors Commend AUN Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari S eventeen All Progressives Congress governors and deputies have commended AUN for its standards and commitment to excellence. The governors had converged in Yola for the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), to strategize on how to eradicate poverty and take stock of their achievements in the last three months since the election. Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, applauded AUN for its hospitality and pledged his support to AUN development projects. The Governor of Sokoto State, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, described AUN as a university for “today and for the future.” President Ensign hosted the state chief executives to a dinner at the 24-Hour Room of the Library. “AUN is a member of the American Association of International Colleges and Universities (AAICU) around the world, and there are only two members on this continent—AU Cairo, and AU Nigeria. AUN holds the Vice Presidency of that important organization,” said Dr. Ensign. Restating AUN’s mission as a development university, she said, “We are a digital university. As a development university, we are committed to sharing our knowledge and skills with the community and region.” She extended a hand of partnership to the governors to eradicate illiteracy in their various states, using AUN tested-technologies and expertise already implemented in Adamawa State. The President later led the governors on a tour of the digital library. AUN Hosts Adamawa MPs, Offers Help P resident Ensign has called on Adamawa State parliamentarians to see AUN as a willing partner in fixing the problems in the state. She spoke to the members of the Adamawa House of Assembly who came to the University on September 4 for refresher training. Dr. Ensign pointed out some of the challenges and said they only need ask for help because AUN, as a Development University, is responding to the needs of its immediate community. “Three quarters of the people in this state can’t read. So we have to fix that. The schools have poor infrastructure to teach, teachers don’t have the training. Every year, one million women and children die in Nigeria. All of those deaths are preventable. The power to change this is in your hands.” 6 She said that, with a growing population, the state, like all of Nigeria, needs to educate her women and children as well as to give them better health care. She encouraged the MP’s to respond to the rapidly growing population. “The population of this state is doubling every 25 years. So if you want development to be where it is now, every 25 years you have to double in education, health, and so on. Do you have time and the money to do that? “If you do it well, Adamawa could just leapfrog. If you get these young kids education, if you get them access to healthcare, this state will be a power house. Almost half of the children in Adamawa are not growing to their full potential. And that is something we want to fix. Let’s work together to address the challenge.” Globally renowned expert in Public President Ensign and the Governor of Sokoto State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal Health and Wisner Professor at Tulane University, Dr. William Bertrand, also addressed the audience on “The Skills, Knowledge and Competencies for Leadership in Policy Making.” He advocated for the use of technology saying that with it they can have access to the knowledge in the world and enable the state catch up with others globally. As legislators, he recognized their role in policy making and said AUN can help them with how best to develop an evidence-based policy approach, an approach he defined as one that helps people make well informed decisions about policy programs and projects by putting the best available policy at the heart of project development and implementation. “These are the core competencies within which we will try to help you develop programs.” AUN Don Advocates Peace Journalism at EU Media Roundtable P rofessor Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob of the School of Arts & Science has advocated a more communitarian role for journalists in Nigeria to help counter violent extremism in the country. Professor Jacob was speaking recently in Abuja, on ‘New Perspectives in War and Peace Reporting’ at a Media Roundtable on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) organized by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in partnership with the EU Technical Assistance on Nigeria’s evolving Security Challenges (EUTANS). He said Journalists should re-assess their role set in the society and see themselves as engaged members of the community, rather than as detached observers. “What troubles the society troubles the journalist, what troubles the community, troubles the media. The doctrine that media objectivity should be based on detachment from the story and the society in which the journalist lives and reports from is founded on a fundamentally faulty premise” he said. Prof. Jacob said Peace Journalism can create mechanisms that proactively report peace efforts over reactive coverage of violent incidents. “Across the Northeast”, he said, “there are various community-based peace support organizations such as the Adamawa Peace Initiative in Adamawa State, working to build peace and support IDPs. By highlighting the intervention efforts of such groups in their news reports, the media can open up a communal sphere for engagement with peace initiatives. Peace Journalism as a normative media regime, therefore recommends the adoption of a criticaltransactional framework that reinforces peace as a key strand in the conflict narrative”. Prof. Jacob described terrorism as propaganda of the deed, noting that violence and propaganda have much in common. Violence, he said, aims at behavior change by coercion while propaganda aims at behavior change through persuasion and emotional blackmail. Terrorism he stressed, is a combination of the two and can best be understood as a communication strategy. “The press has the cardinal obligation to be involved as engaged members of the community and to… stimulate dialogues that can lead to peaceful co-existence”. – Prof. Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob “Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once said that the media provide the oxygen of publicity upon which terror organizations depend, this may sound alarmist, but the fact remains that terror organizations are increasingly media savvy, drawing on both mainstream and new media to propagate the ideologies that inspire their operations” Prof Jacob said. Professor Jacob who is Chair of the Communications and Multimedia Design Program at AUN, said the media must not settle merely for the role of enlightening or informing the public, but should strive for social justice and peace. Peace Journalism, he said, is derived from a communitarian role set for the press, which requires journalists to tell stories of peace and justice. He said although traditional liberal theorists have always maintained that the key function of the media in a pluralistic democracy is to position itself as a check on the state, Journalists should demand more of themselves than a mere watchdog role or even mere objective reporting of news. “Under the ethical notion that peace, truth and justice is the key obligation of the press, the Peace Journalist seeks to report stories that create opportunities for society to consider and value non-violent responses to conflict,” he said. “Under this media regime”, he added, “the press has the cardinal obligation to be involved as engaged members of the community and to use their resources, privileges and expertise to stimulate dialogues that can lead to peaceful co-existence”. The Media Roundtable was attended by the head of the Strategic Communications and Messaging Unit in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari Mijinyawa, security experts, editors and bureau chiefs of international news media organizations including AFP, AP, BBC, Guardian newspaper, Leadership newspaper among others, top government functionaries from the Information Ministry, members of the diplomatic community and representatives of EUTAN. Professor Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob who obtained his PhD in Strategic Communications from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom has researched and published extensively on Information Intervention in violently divided societies. He has facilitated Peace Journalism workshops for journalists covering the Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria. Dr. Jacob who is a member of the UK’s Conflict Research Society is presently Interim Associate Dean in the School of Arts and Science. His research interest is located at the intersection between communications and political change in contemporary society. His works have been published in international peer-reviewed journals including War and Society, Small Wars Journal, Stability Journal of International Security and Development, among others. 7 July - September 2015 • 77th Edition Study by AUN Faculty Shows Relative Benefit of Malaria Control Techniques A study by Dr. Jamiu Olumoh of the School of Arts & Sciences has determined that the use of mosquito bed nets remains the best method for stemming a malaria outbreak. At an SAS seminar on September 1, Dr. Olumoh presented the research work and findings he carried out with Professors Olushola Osho Ajayi of the Mathematics & Statistics and Dr. Jennifer A. Tyndall of the Natural & Environmental Science departments. The presentation was based on the paper they co-authored: “A Binary Regression Estimation of Response Probability and Block Correlation: An Application to Malaria Data.” He said their research looked at how a mixture of models can be applied to malaria control dataset. “In this work, we show how this method can be used to efficiently estimate the intra-block correlations which may exist in a dataset as a result of strictly defined covariate class boundaries, and apply the method to a malaria control dataset.” The data used for the analysis came from Tyndall et al (2012) who had for two years sourced information from 1126 residents across Adamawa State Nigeria, in a research project sponsored by the World Health Organization. Dr. Olumoh said the process of data FACULTY PUBLISHING Eke’s Work on Media Preferences Published in International Journal of Liberal Arts A research paper on the uses and gratifications in newspaper columns conducted by Ikechukwu Williams Eke of the School of Arts and Sciences has been published by the International Journal of Liberal Arts and Social Science. Entitled “Uses and Gratifications in Newspaper Columns: A Thematic and Functional Analysis of Readers’ Reactions to Mike Awoyinfa’s Press Clips,” Prof. Eke used Elihu Katz’s Uses and Gratifications media theory to find the predominant themes in “Press Clips” and the gratifications that readers of the column derive from reading it. “Press Clips,” one of Nigeria’s longest-running newspaper columns, currently appears on the back page of The Sun newspapers every Saturday. Eke used content analysis to examine the readers’ reactions to Press Clips from June 2008 to June 2011, and his findings show that readers of the column often analyzed its subject matter, the columnist’s style, and how reading the column made them feel. Eke, who conducted the research while he was at the University of Ibadan, is now a Journalism and Writing Instructor at the American University of Nigeria. He says that more newspaper columnists should consider the many functions of readers’ reactions and come up with effective feedback mechanism through which they can listen to their readers. When columnists know the uses readers put messages of newspaper columns and the gratifications readers derive from doing so, the press in Nigeria will be helping the country to achieve the second requirement of the Commission on Freedom of the Press for a free society, he continues. “In its 1947 publication, A Free and Responsible Press, the Commission on Freedom of the Press, lists the provision of ‘a forum for the exchange of comment and criticism’ as the second requirement of a free society; this is a need that readers’ reaction meets satisfactorily. So by taking the views and reviews of its readers seriously, newspaper columnists will be making Nigeria a free society as well as helping to make the press in the country a more responsible one.” The full research paper can be accessed at www.ijsr.org/data/frontImager/gallery.16.pdf. 8 collection was a clinical-field survey conducted amongst residents who have been classified by age, level of education, malaria control methods, and the malaria infection status of respondents. “In our analysis, we used malaria infection status as the response/dependent variable of interest, and age and control methods as predictors.” The control methods are coil, net, otapiapia, liquid-spray as well as when nothing was used. Having analyzed the data using the method, Olumoh said the result was that the estimated probability of a respondent having the malaria infection using net is lowest (19 percent), followed by the use of liquid-spray (34 percent). For coil and otapiapia, the results were 47 and 38 percent respectively, while for nothing being used it was 52.9. The presentation was made at the Nigerian Meeting of Statisticians on September 7, at Osogbo, Osun State. Prof. Handrahan’s Perspective on ‘Feminism and Change’ “Feminism has challenged the status quo; it is all about standing up for yourself, and fighting for equality.” This was a submission made by International Adjunct Professor Lori Handrahan, who has spent close to two decades in humanitarian and human rights work in Central Asia, Africa, and the Balkans, speaking at an SAS seminar. Her focus was on gender-based violence, conflict/post-conflict environments, UN reforms, and ending child sex abuse. On the stereotypes faced by the Nigerian woman, her audience responded that most Nigerian women are stereotyped to be submissive, making it difficult for them to climb to the top in various careers. Dr. Handrahan agreed that this is one of the struggles of most women around the world. “Identity is restricted; women talk about how difficult it is to be a woman; they face discrimination and injustice. We make cultural exceptions for discriminations against women, but we don’t make cultural exceptions against race and nationality.” There are a lot of structural issues that feminism has challenged. Before the advent of women who braced themselves to be engineers, lawyers, and so on, the world was viewed from the point of view of men only. Feminism, she said, is all about changing the world. Faculty Research Focuses on Corporate Social and Environmental Disclosure F our researchers from the School of Business & Entrepreneurship, recently had their joint research work published in the International Journal of Business and Finance Management Research. The publication is a report of their study on the patterns of corporate social and environmental disclosure in Nigeria. Dr. Samuel N. Akanno and Mr. Ifeatu Uzodinma, both of the Department of Accounting and Finance, as well as Dr. Ferdinand Che and Mr. Abubakar Radda, both of Department of Entrepreneurship Management, found a correlation between company size and the level of corporate social and environmental disclosure (CSED). According to the researchers, “The literature on CSED suggests that since larger firms are more likely than smaller ones to attract stakeholder interests, their activities come under greater scrutiny, and therefore, they are more likely to pay more attention to the social and environmental impact of their activities.” They reported that Cormier and Magnan (2003) found this positive relationship between company size and the overall level of disclosure “in a number of countries.” Nigeria is not one among these. “No such study has been conducted on Nigerian firms and it’s worth investigating whether the same relationship between company size and CSED can be established in Nigeria.” Now You Can Address Him as Dr. Presly Obukoadata P ublic Relations, Advertising, and Communications Research Instructor in the Communications & Multimedia Design program, Presley Ogheneruke Obukoadata, has sailed through with his PhD viva voce (oral defense) at the University of Uyo, Nigeria. He braced the tape on September 10. Dr. Obukoadata, who joined AUN in spring 2014, was a practicing journalist in Nigeria before veering into the groves of academia. In 10 years of university teaching, he has published more than 25 peer-reviewed articles in reputable international journals. Professor Obukoadata’s doctoral thesis is entitled “Brand Equity Communication Strategies of Two Nigerian Breweries and Consumers’ Preference for Alcoholic Beverages,” a 170-page dissertation on Nigeria’s two leading beverage brands. The work establishes a strong correlation between brands that are well built and managed and how their consumers will prefer them even in a perfect competition. Graduate School Holds PhD Seminar I nternational Adjunct and Accounting Professor from Durham University in the UK, Dr. Emmanuel Adegbite, held a PhD Seminar on August 27 on “Building a Research Career and the Importance of Scholarship to Academia.” His presentation covered the importance of scholarship to academia, practice and policy, the importance of a publishable thesis, and research funding as well as collaboration. Dr. Adegbite also shared his experiences on publishing in international journals, saying that research is not just about publishing in the best of journals, but also about making contributions to society. He talked about how to develop a PhD proposal as well as how to get research funding. He also told them to leverage peers for collaboration. “ When you’re thinking of research, think about impact. It’s not just contributions to theory, but let there be impact; contributions to practice and policy. Let it change current managerial practice, let it inform policy.” Adegbite recognized that papers are often rejected for publication in a particular journal and urged them to not be discouraged. “Nobody is beyond rejection, even top academics get rejected. You have to get used to it. It’s part of the game.” Interim Associate Dean of the SBE, Dr. Ferdinand Che, described the visiting professor as a valuable colleague: “Absolutely fantastic and professional to work with.” He asked the PhD students to take full advantage of his lecture. So they decided to do an exploratory study where they identified “evidence and patterns” of CSED through annual reporting by firms in Nigeria. This team of four scholars went through a total of 154 annual reports of 40 firms that are listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). These reports were of the four year period 2009 to 2013. The firms represent four major industries: banking, insurance, oil & gas, and food producing & processing. Besides company size, the other factors that were investigated by the team are the nature of the industry type, position placement in annual report, and industry content themes. OTDS Trains Yola Teachers in Information Literacy T he Office of Technology & Digital Services recently hosted an information literacy workshop for teaching staff of ABTI International Secondary School and Concordia College, both in Yola. The interactive training workshop, aimed at strengthening AUN’s engagement with the host community, was attended by more than 15 teachers from both schools. The workshop gave the teachers an opportunity to build on existing knowledge of topics of interest such as the need for information literacy, critical evaluation of information resources, accessing information resources, and ethical use of information resources. Assistant Vice President Digital Service & Chief Information Office Mr. Julius Ayuk Tabe stressed that as a development University with all the facilities, it is only right that AUN share information with its host-community. He added: “Information doubles every two-and-a-half years in every subject; the challenge for teachers is guiding these children on the information available out there. Gone are those days when teachers were an embodiment of knowledge.” The training had five sessions and a pre-test was issued to test their level of knowledge on information literacy. 9 July - September 2015 • 77th Edition 2nd Decade Students Share Thoughts Chasing Dreams at AUN: Oscar Iwu, born of Nigerian parents, has lived all his life in the US. (Petroleum Chemistry) I want to study here because I feel that it will help me later on for job prospects. I think that is what will make me stand out from other people (Nigerians) who go to school only in America, because I will have that wider worldview. I will have that other perspective that somebody who is born (and studied exclusively) in one country won’t have. I think that will help me in the long run. Shamsudeen D. Mangal (CMD, Advertising) My dream is to be a major player in the business world, like my father. Growing up in a family of businesspeople, I desire to own and run as many businesses as possible and to always be a leader in the different business sectors in which I will be involved. To do this effectively, I need at least a university degree. The initial decision was for me to study abroad for a degree in business or marketing. After one year in the UK, and reflecting on the huge success recorded by my two brothers who graduated from AUN, I decided to come back to Nigeria, to AUN. I knew what I was getting into from the very beginning and was ready to take it head on. A strong reason I came back home to Nigeria is that AUN has it all. Talk about the faculty, resources, and above all, the interconnectedness of students from across all Africa. When I think of AUN, I think of the next leader in higher education and I want to share in that dream and vision. I want to recall at some point in my life and say, “Thank God I passed through here.” Polo is well celebrated at AUN. It is another major reason why I am studying here and will be very happy that the spirit of AUN polo is kept alive. Binta Abdullahi (CMD, Journalism) I dream to be a successful career journalist. When I was growing up, I admired TV newscasters. I so much wanted to be like them. I was so much in love with journalism despite the fact that people say journalism is a man’s profession. People say that being a journalist is risky, especially now that there is a lot of violence all over the place. I have decided to study and practice journalism, no matter what. I also want to run NGOs; through them I can touch the lives of the less privileged. AUN can help me achieve my dream in so many ways. Journalism is a professional course which requires public speaking and writing. 10 For me, to be able to speak and write well, I have to learn the rudiments. Here in AUN there are a lot of facilities for me to improve on my public speaking and writing skills. My experience so far at AUN is a great one. I am still finding all the opportunities that AUN offers. I have learned a lot of things such as extracurricular activities, community service, and community development—which is the most interesting course to me. My classes are great and I enjoy them. AUN gives me an opportunity to try new things, to meet new and interesting people. AUN is a great institution and I look forward to achieving my dreams. Stephen Zachariah (Natural & Environmental Science) My dream is to make a difference in the lives of people, both inside and outside AUN, not only on the social level, but also on the academic.Although I have not spent long enough, I can proudly say that AUN can help me achieve my dreams. The techniques and skills used here to impart knowledge say it all. I love to help people, leading to my initial passion for the army. I wanted to enlist in order to help people in dire situations. It was actually going to be fun because I would be doing something of interest to me. Nevertheless, Natural & Environmental Science (NES) is also fun because the course has to do with the environment. It is about the way the world abuses the earth’s natural resources and vegetation, both of which are meant to be used wisely, protected, and managed well for the common good. I believe that AUN can help me achieve all my dreams. Nsikak Imoh (Software Engineering) My goals as a student are many but they all point towards one direction: to become a successful and outstanding individual in my country and the world. First, I would like to graduate from this school a qualified and certified software engineer with at least a 3.90 CGPA. Afterwards, I’ll do an MBA. I would like to be a high-class software developer and business tycoon. I want to combine creativity, productivity, and agility to make a great impact in the world of Information & Communication Technology (ICT), and become greater than my mentor, Larry Ellison. Secondly, I would like to be a philanthropist and humanitarian, and to participate actively in the fight against poverty and illiteracy. Lastly, my goal as the chief character of my life’s movie is to have a happy ending. AUN makes it achievable through standard education, hard work under spectacular instructors and advisers, and the availability of high-end academic and non-academic resources. It provides a great learning resource through its equipped offline and online 24-hour library, coupled with availability of constant Internet and power supply. The lecturers are disciplined, punctual, and not wanting in delivery of good lectures. This school is a solid stepping-stone to making me a philanthropist through its community service and courses. In the few months I’ve been here, I have experienced a lot and gotten enough information and skill to start me on the road to success. I have noticed an improvement in my interpersonal skills, creativity, communication skills, writing, and knowledge. I’ve developed a tremendous courage to face challenges and fears of all kinds. The future always looks scary but I believe that with AUN, there will surely be a happy ending. Joshua Onyema (Software Engineering) From the first day I stepped into AUN, I knew that my dreams would become a reality. As a little boy of six, I had the consistent dream of owning a company, although I had no definite idea of how I would achieve that dream one day. I never lost hope. In the final year of my high school I had a vivid picture of what kind of company or organization I wanted to own. It would be a software company where we would create programs of the future. Even if I had little knowledge of programming, I knew that the institution I attended would help me achieve my goals. For the few weeks I have been in AUN, I have been able to learn new skills and techniques and I can see myself taking a step closer to my dream. Although some courses are not quite easy and some lecturers are not as forthcoming as they ought to be, I do not get discouraged because the environment is learner- friendly and most of the professors are friendly. Even if I still have a long way to go and the path to success may be tough, I have hope that I will gradually make my dream a reality with the help of God and my instructors. Mohammed Ahmed (Petroleum Chemistry) One of my dreams is to graduate as the valedictorian of my class. Afterwards, I would like to have my master’s degree and a PhD in Petroleum Engineering in Qatar. By doing so, I will experience the Arab culture and style of teaching. After obtaining an MSc in Petroleum Engineering, I would like to work in Qatar in an oil like company Shell, Chevron, or Addax. This will enable me to fulfill my dream of developing Nigeria and Africa at large. AUN provides me with three vital tools: ability to think critically in order to solve all kinds of problems I will encounter in life, ability to speak in public, and motivation to be patriotic and serve community. AUN students are trained to engage in community service and are committed to the development of Nigeria and Africa at large. Being in a school that inculcates all these qualities into its students will definitely help me achieve my dreams. My stay at AUN is going positively and smoothly because I have come to know about a lot of things like Canvas, Turnitin, tangerine, and other online applications that I had come across before. AUN also gives the opportunity to meet with people from different perspectives around the world. So far I have come to understand that people should be respected and treated equally irrespective of their religion, ethnicity, or background. Maryam Uhwache (International & Comparative Politics) My dream has always been overall success in life. I have always also envisaged myself working and representing Nigeria as a great ambassador and among the top five well-known women working in the UN. I would like to be committed, too, in order to achieve my purposes. I would say being an ambassador will enable me to team up with others who are willing and able to make a difference. AUN as a whole is a very developed university with all the facilities to make one want to be a part of the school and contribute to the community at large. For example, there are highly trained instructors, students who are also helpful in this University. I know with the help of the people in this University I would be able to realize my full potential and the University will be there for me along my narrow paths and challenges on the road to my ride to success. Praise Nwokoma (Accounting) Dreams. A dream is “a cherished aspiration, or ambition”. My dream is to be more successful than the richest man in the world as per the Forbes list 2015. To achieve my dream, I believe AUN is the perfect foundation. A strong foundation leads to a better future, a stronger future. AUN creates a path, a path that has different dreams on it and it’s left to us, the students, to grasp our distinctive dreams. AUN provides us with amazing instructors who try their best to help the students in any way they can. The peak of it all is the students. I’m not saying this because I am one, but because it’s the truth. The students are so hard-working and I believe this also pushes the instructors never to give up on us. The cultural diversity among the students is also another amazing thing. AUN allows you to have a feel of other people’s cultures. AUN is the best place to school. Maryam Abdulkadir (International & Comparative Politics) For a while now, I have expressed a particular interest in improving the quality of life as well as the standard of living. A development university such as AUN is an appropriate opportunity to put my life goals into practice, even before I get employed. I realized that AUN offered a chance for me to major in ICP that looks at international development. This is complemented with other courses such as biology that can help me decode how diseases, in conjunction with a weak healthcare system, are inhibiting our growth as a country and Africa as a whole. So far, my experience in AUN has shown me how important it is to be proactive in helping others, in the form of community service. Also, I have learned how to help myself study for my other courses and the importance of some crimes such as plagiarism, which can affect me in the future. I really do hope that others can learn these important lessons so graduates from this university can help implement sustainable development to aid their country. Orobosa Umuakpero (CMD Video/TV/Film) My dream as a student is to become outstanding in my field of study, not just to graduate from AUN and be jobless but to create jobs for myself and people. AUN is already helping me achieve such dreams because I came with the mindset of becoming a software programmer, but to my utmost surprise I saw that AUN had a course called Communication & Multimedia Design which involves TV advertisements, radio literacy, and video editing. Those were the things I have always had interest in doing but was never given the opportunity to do them. I now have to grab such opportunities with both hands. It’s been a nice place since I have been here. I have made new friends, learned new things and lessons. AUN is a great place to be and also a place for one to make good use of the opportunities. Mubarak Abubakar (Business and Entrepreneurship) Right from childhood I have had the dream of becoming someone big, but I never knew how it was going to come or how I will get there. Well, at least I had a conviction and promised myself I am going to achieve it. I have changed my mind on proposed professions many times. I am now settled at maybe being an accountant, a financial adviser, or even a professor in accounting. Some people say am crazy but I believe everything is possible as long as the sun is still shining. I hear there is a paucity of accounting professors in Nigeria; wouldn’t it be good to hear that the next professor in accounting was from AUN. Well, all the other professions I would probably engage in are merely to survive but the main deal is, how do I get there? With hard work, I am sure. AUN is the right place for any student to be because it is a development university, with master’s degree programs. AUN being a development university is a big blast to students who finish school and need jobs. Because of this I believe you will be placed and AUN also runs internship programs for graduates. After school a student can still come back and do his or her PhD and other programs. AUN has quickly turned into the dream home I have always wanted. The sports are just amazing. It is healthy good, fun, and there are also competitions in every sport. The food they give us is amazing so no one ever complains of hunger or tasteless food. The rooms and classroom are very spacious and conducive; in fact the whole place is just friendly. The AUN environment is one of the best studying environments you can find in Nigeria. On the scale of 10 AUN is 8.5 even though I don’t know why I am just not giving it a 10 yet. turn to page 12 11 July - September 2015 • 77th Edition Chasing Dreams at AUN continued Amina Auwal (Computer Science) I would like to work hard for a high-paying job in order to make a useful contribution back into my community. I took computer science because I love math and I think by taking a course like this, I can contribute to moving Nigeria forward in terms of development and technology. AUN will aid me in my aspirations because I will learn more about technology and sustainable development for our communities. My experience at AUN so far has been positive as I have lecturers who are very supportive. With the countless number of clubs, I have a lot of opportunities to do something with my time that could add to my CV such as participating in judicial affairs when I enter the sophomore year. Aisha Mahmud (International & Comparative Politics) One of my major dreams is to graduate with summa cum laude and become an excellent diplomat. Having the privilege of attending an American-style university it would be unwise on my part not to utilize this great opportunity to make a remarkable impact in my life and in the society at large. As a student, having dreams and goals are good but fulfilling these dreams and goals takes discipline, determination, diligence, and hard work. AUN has a systematic way of lecturing which has helped me in working towards fulfilling my dreams. The community service presents one with the opportunity to go into the community and know their challenges and problems and try to find a way to meet them. The sustainability program also helps me in seeing that when I become a diplomat I will make other countries have interest in my country. Finally, thus far being at AUN for a semester has been amazing for me. I have learned some basic things on the educational side, while on the fun part it has been great also. The AUN system of studies has changed my orientation about life entirely. Asma’u Shehu (Marketing) My dream is to finish school and achieve my goal. The main reason I chose to come to AUN is to read, but also my dad likes the system of the University. AUN is one of the best universities in Nigeria—a most conducive place for learning. 12 I came to AUN to be a better person and make good use of my life in a great way. AUN is really encouraging students to be what they want to be. Part of business and entrepreneurship, my major course, is marketing, and I am willing to be a very good business woman in life. Ahmed Mai-Bornu (International & Comparative Politics) As a student of AUN, I have the tools to achieve my dreams and ambitions. I would like to be an ambassador in future but this semester has been choked up and I was not able to choose my major courses. But with what I have seen I believe that I will be able to fulfill my dreams. AUN has the right tools to make me a better and successful person in the future. The school has adequate facilities and the faculty and staff members are outstanding and make learning really convenient and comfortable. So far, AUN has taught me valuable life lessons and I am willing to learn more about life in general and make my grades great. Marho Ohimor (Software Engineering) My sole dream in life is to make a difference, to make a change in the world. AUN thus far seems like it could help me achieve this dream. AUN is a development university concerned about those around the school. This school will teach me how to use what I learn in the classroom to effect a change in my immediate surroundings. At first, I really didn’t want to come to this school but now I am happy I made the choice. AUN seems like a pretty good school that is already producing great alumni. It is only a matter of time before this school gains worldwide recognition. My stay here has been fruitful. I’ve learned a lot and I hope I can use what I’ve learned to make a real difference in this country. Olasunkanmi Lanlehin (Software Engineering) My dream is to be one of the most successful people in the world. I would love to make a difference in the lives of the citizens of my country. I also have a dream of being one of the people that would change the country positively and also aid in the development of the country. I believe that AUN would surly help me achieve my dreams because the school is a very good and a well facilitated school. AUN has all the things I need to make my dreams come true. This school has good instructors, a friendly environment and worldclass facilities. My experience so far at AUN has been very conducive and great. I have really enjoyed my experience in the school. The things I love most in the school are the facilities. They are really nice and are very cool to work with. I also love the fact that we are all allowed to use our laptops in class. Timi Alo (Petroleum Chemistry) Since I entered senior secondary school, I always wanted to be a chemical engineer. However, I discovered that I was excellent at Chemistry, especially the organic Chemistry. So I decided to study Petroleum Chemistry instead. AUN can help me to achieve my dreams as the standard in this American based school is one of the highest in Nigeria. That dream is to be one of the most successful men in the world, God willing. So far, my experience at AUN has been fun filled. I have particularly been impressed with how flexible the classes have been. Khadija Musa Bindawa My dream in life is to be a very successful woman who will contribute positively to the development of my country, touch the lives of people, and bring smiles to their faces. Going back to my primary and secondary school days, my aspiration was to become a medical doctor. However, no matter how achievable or reasonable an aspiration may seem, there will always be limitations. My dream now is to become a successful economist/ analyst who will be able to make positive contributions in my dear country and beyond. AUN will help me in so many ways because as a developmental university, every student is groomed to be a leader. Writing in a course, which broadens the mind of students, is mandatory. This is because writing is a key component irrespective of your professional field. With the state of the art facilities at AUN and the courses offered, I will have balance between technical and managerial/strategic leadership abilities with strong emphasis on business applications. I believe by the end of my 4 years I will come out as a transformed and certified economist that will fit in any organization in the world. An Encounter With Mandela Attending an African Leadership Workshop in Johannesburg SGA President Basil Abia Reflects on a Life-changing Experience A ttending the African Student Affairs Conference in the impressive South African capital city of Johannesburg has to be one of the best experiences I’ve ever had as a student. Together with the Vice President of the Student Government Association, Mr. Abdulrahman Bappullo, and the Business Operations Manager, Student Affairs, Mr. Anthony Okoji, we set out for the conference with a sense of optimism and curiosity, somewhat hopeful of a life-changing experience. The African Student Affairs conference is divided in two: the African Student Leaders’ Workshop and study tour, and the African Student Affairs Workshop for staff and faculty who are experts in student affairs across African tertiary institutions. It was organized by Worldview Events, a leading organization in educational support projects based in London. The quality of learning and leadership development we were going to get at the conference was never in doubt. Being newly elected and sworn-in, the Vice President and I were elated when the authorities offered to support and facilitate our participation in the annual pan-African student leadership conference, which was held between August 18 and 20, 2015. We arrived on August 17 at the O.R. Tambo Airport, Johannesburg, and were taken straight to Indaba, a four-star hotel in the outskirts of the metropolis. After a full day of rest and preparation, the next day was business day for us all. We met with other participants at the conference, the leaders of various student unions/ governments across the continent, most of whom came from Nigeria. The opening ceremony was brief but powerful, we were empowered to put in our best in the various leadership tasks that we were given, and work as a team so as media to make our communication with the management of the various universities we were from. The next day, arguably the best of the two-day conference was the study tour facilitated by the Nelson Mandela Foundation. We set out at about 9.00 am to Orlando-Soweto on a mission to be educated and inspired by the impeccable leadership skills African legend Nelson Mandela. We arrived at his former apartment, where he used to reside with Winnie before his arrest and long prison sentence. It was a lifechanging experience for all of us; we were face to face with the symbol of “Change” for not only South Africa but also Africa as a whole. The tour was brief but surely the most emotional and powerful thing we ever encountered. Mr. Bappullo was astonished at the simplicity of such a great leader. His sacrifices to fight against an evil and racist regime were staggering. As student leaders, most of us reflected on the fact that true leadership will only emerge if “service” and “sacrifice” were the watchword. At that SGA President Basil Abia in South Africa moment, a vow was made to ensure that the true principles of service, sacrifice, simplicity, humility, and …a vow was made to truthfulness will be the watchword for ensure that the true principles the various student governments we were leading. of service, sacrifice, I am constrained by space; otherwise, I simplicity, humility, and would have included all the wonderful things we experienced. One thing I shouldn’t truthfulness will be the leave out is the fact that the university watchword for the principles of development, change, and various student governments integrity will inform the workings of the new SGA, especially after all we had we were leading. experienced in Johannesburg. to brush up our organizational skills as it I want to use this medium to thank the will be paramount in the successful University through its able Dean of management of the various student organ- Student Affairs, Vice President Byron izations we were heading. We set out later Bullock, for making it possible for us to that day to build up our communication be part of this life-changing experience. and networking skills by meeting up with The next year, for the SGA and the entire selected faculty members of the conference student body, will surely experience who helped us understand the different massive positive strides in all spheres. 13 July - September 2015 • 77th Edition Alum Launches New Phone Design for Rural Folks A UN Alum Tosin Komolafe spotted an old man at the VIP section of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, struggling to operate a smart device. He pitied the man, and that sense of compassion stirred up in him the thought of creating a solution to problems in his immediate society. In that situation the young innovator envisaged a solution that could benefit just about anyone. Komolafe thought, just because Nigeria is a booming market for mobile telephony does not necessarily mean everyone is benefiting from this 21st-century innovation. He saw a problem and was determined to be the solution. With his partner, Komolafe launched into a detailed market research to birth a social enterprise named “Karabow K1”. The Class of 2012 graduate teamed up with Mr. Wisdom Kwati. They discovered that most feature phones in Nigeria have poor visibility and audio functionalities, and the price exorbitant. Who will benefit from Karabow K1? The duo also discovered that the problem was not only in Nigeria where senior citizens, visually, or audio-impaired individuals are not considered when designing the latest savvy smartphones or feature phones. The problem is bigger still. With the literacy level in some rural areas in Nigeria low, it is important to design a mobile phone that allows anybody to access commands in their indigenous languages. “This is why Karabow K1 will serve not just Nigeria but Africa,” says the AUN alum. Mr. Komolafe thinks that technology today should “Karabow K1 benefit everyone who can access it. The same goes for feature phones; they are meant to be affordable and will serve not just enhanced so that even the man in the village can use it Nigeria but without difficulties. On the contrary, feature phones in the Nigerian market are difficult to use. He explained Africa.” that the letters are too small for the visually impaired person, have no sound enhanced capacity and the common man might not make enough to afford it. The budding entrepreneur is convinced that ‘Karabow K1’ brings smartphone functionalities to an affordable feature phone. The phone is said to have the following features: number audibility, local languages (Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba), singleton menu (keeps each menu item in view, one at a time, as compared to other mobile devices where all the menu items are visible at all times.) Other functionalities include: long-life battery, dedicated, stand-alone bright LED torchlight that works with or without the phone being on, extremely visible display characters and keyboard, FM radio with dedicated antenna, emergency alert system, 8GB builtAUN Alum Tosin Komolafe in memory card, clear front and crisp rear speakers. Some industry experts have reviewed the prototype. Northern Marketing Officer for Samsung Mobile, Shola Ajayi, said, “Karabow’s designs are awesome, I think that’s what the market wants: it is an ideology of quality, slimness and affordability.” CEO Global Business Network, Mr. Stephen Dada, commended the new phone as, “the Messiah that we need in Africa; Karabow just brings it altogether. It’s like rearranging the puzzle.” Nokia analyst, Prof. Bola Mijah, said, “Karabow’s designs are awesome but I think there is a lot more they have to implement. But for a start Karabow’s good to go.” 14 Alum Daniel Harbor Shines at Carnegie Mellon University A lumnus Daniel Harbor emerged Class Speaker at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) graduate school commencement on August 9 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, (USA). His confidence and good public-speaking skills led his colleagues to nominate him as the 2015 Class Speaker. At the graduation ceremony, Mr. Harbor, who was also valedictorian at AUN in 2011, advised his classmates at Carnegie Mellon: “Regardless of your perception of your time here, I urge you to keep in mind that success is like a mountain that keeps growing as you hike up. Let our achievements here only be a stepping stone to the technological advancements that will change the course of history, and to the many other uncharted paths that we will blaze for others to follow.” At AUN, Harbor and two other alums successfully implemented the OpenERP system, an information management system that integrates all the AUN departments into one software system, improving flexibility in management and administration of resources. On his experience at AUN Mr. Harbor said, “Well… I would say the standards in AUN were no less than here at CMU. The amount of work you have to do for classes is relatively the same. I probably even did more work there than I’m doing here. So in terms of the work ethic, I had it all figured out before I got here.” Mr. Harbor, a software engineer, graduated from Carnegie Mellon with a distinction and was awarded the plaque of Class Speaker. New Students Give Kanzul Islam Academy a Facelift L earning can be interesting but much more so in a friendly environment. In Adamawa State, where statistics show the literacy rate is still low, there is a need for incentives to make students interested in learning. This desire is what made the 100 firstyear students, who had already checked in, to volunteer to give Kanzul Islam Academy a facelift. The Academy was founded in 2005 with 510 students in primary school and has recently added a secondary arm, with a little over 70 students, said the Headmaster, Mr. Bahago Umar. The school runs both the Islamic and Western education curricular. For the new students, it wasn’t what they had imagined they would do as part of their orientation activities on a Saturday morning. It was their first time going to Yola town and their first community service experience. President Ensign had addressed them about this activity before they left the campus: “So why are you doing this? Why am I making you do this – paint a school?” The students were not sure of a response. “AUN is a development university. This activity”, the President had said, “is the beginning of your journey to learn what it is like for most people in the world, actually.” She said that in addressing the low literacy rate in Adamawa State, AUN requires students to apply the skills they learned in class. “So, over time, you’re going to teach them how to read. But this morning, you’re going to paint their school so it looks a little better for them, all right.” And they went with enthusiasm. CDV 101 Students Mark World Literacy Day at IDPs Camp O n the occasion of this year’s World Literacy Day, AUN’s Community Development (CDV) 101 students took learning from their class to the Malkohi IDP Camp, engaging the children in reading and visual learning. The International Literacy Day is celebrated around the world on September 8 with a yearly theme. “Literacy and Sustainable Societies” was the 2015 theme. Course Instructor, Dr. Grace Malgwi, observed that it was a good gesture to bring learning to the camp. In accordance with this year’s theme, “With literacy you can deal with empowerment, development, and then enhance community relationships.” “We thought we should bring the students taking the CDV 101 Literacy course to grasp a true-life experience.” Each child was given a book written by AUN students. Dr. Malgwi said it was a way of encouraging the children to keep reading. Director of Community Engagement and Service Learning, Mr. Mohamadou Dabo, applauded the students’ efforts saying, “Some of the children have missed one year of school.” The Student Government Association Public Relations Officer, Ms. Tinnet Gwadah, confessed that she was moved by the dire situation of the displaced children, but said she’s comforted to witness the level of resilience shown by them. Digital Services Department Renews Information Literacy Campaign T he Digital Services Department has migrated the University Library from Millennium Integrated System to the new, free software platform called Koha. Visitors to the old library website are now directed to: http://digitalservices.aun.edu.ng/ digitalservices/. The announcement came at the kickoff of a renewed information literacy campaign launched by the department and attended by students, faculty, and staff members. At the workshop which started on September 1, participants were trained on how to navigate the new systems. Mr. Omachi Okolo, the Information Literacy Team Leader, said that the new data services have more features and resources than the previous one. It also has a new design, and the access mechanism is different, too. “The new data system is more efficient and effective. The library has been using a different system called The Millennium. This training is part of the phasing out of the old system.” 15 July - September 2015 • 77th Edition President Ensign to UN High Commission for Refugees: AUN-API Model Ideal for Vulnerable Populations P resident Ensign has called on governments and international NGOs to work more closely with local organizations to address humanitarian crises, stem the tide of violence, thwart recruitment efforts by extremist groups, and protect and provide opportunities for vulnerable populations around the world. President Ensign addressed a session of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 3. At the head of a three-member AUN-API delegation, she said local resources not only have a greater understanding of their culture, but they also have a better ability to gather information, and respond to rapidly changing conditions. At its meeting, the UNHCR brought together refugees “We are in a and 500 local, national and international NGOs to find unique position long-term solutions to global humanitarian crises. Secretary of the Adamawa Muslim Council, Imam to bring Dauda Bello, and President of the New Life Gospel Center, diverse resources Jimeta, Bishop Stephen Ransom, all members of API, were together…” also in the delegation. “The international response to the growing number of IDPs has been slow and inadequate in addressing the situation at hand, never mind in guiding a long-term durable solution,” said Dr. Ensign. “The number of IDPs grew exponentially during the summer of 2014. It was not until December of 2014 that NGOs began to arrive – and by this time, AUN-API had been feeding nearly 300,000 IDPs for six months without any outside assistance. “We know our community and we are in a unique position to bring diverse resources together to find and implement solutions to crises, prevent our youth from succumbing to the temptation to join extremist organizations, and bring stability to the region. Our collaborative model works, and we believe that governments, international NGOs and other organizations working in regions of conflict should pre-identify local peace groups such as ours, and evaluate and use these local networks to implement assistance”. Displaced Women Learn Handiwork at AUN T he Community Service Office began a two-month vocational training on July 1 for internally displaced women camping in Sangere, near Jimeta. The trades include bead making and tailoring, and other skills that are not capitalintensive, but have a wide market in Adamawa State. Director of Community Engagement and Service Learning, Mr. Mohamadou Dabo, announced that besides the skills acquisition training, the women will also have access to a soft loan from Tender Microfinance Bank as a way to support their start-ups once they complete their two-month training. Most of the IDPs who are benefiting from the AUN training will be treated the same as the local women from Yola who have completed their training and already have access to the soft loan of N10,000 each. Mr. Dabo added that the University also plays a monitoring role to ensure the women pay back their loans and are expected to fully actualize their start-up enterprises. Assistant Director, Mr. Aliyu Ahmed, added that altogether 35 internally displaced women have registered at the University’s Skills Acquisition Center, and that a financial literacy sensitization workshop will also be organized for the women. A former teacher, now an IDP, Mrs. Rifkatu Usman, who will be benefiting from the training commended AUN for the initiative that “will help me support my four children that are in school.” 16 Safe Internet Computing Seminar Boosts Awareness A VP of Digital Services and Chief Information Officer, Mr. Julius Ayuk Tabe, has stressed the need for all members of staff of the University to practice safe computing on the Internet. Re-echoing the adage that one finger that touches oil stains the rest, the AVP/CIO told a Safe Internet Computing seminar that one person’s computer vulnerable to attack is a threat to every other person’s. “This is because all staff computers are networked in a manner that makes communication within them systematically possible.” The one-week seminar kicked off on August 17, and required all members of the University staff to attend a session designated for their departments. Lagos Firm Partners AUN-API to Feed IDPs At Ramadan M ore than 700 families received a second food donation in one month from Deen Communications Limited, Lagos, under the auspices of AUN-API on July 10. Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Anthony Agbo, announced that the sum of one million naira was donated by Deen Communications to buy relief items for those IDPs observing Ramadan. The food distribution, which took place at the Jimeta headquarters of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, a Muslim aid organization, was mainly for the women, all representing their families. The Coordinator of Disaster and Relief in JNI and API member, Malam Gambo Jika, advised the refugees to remain steadfast with their fasting and intercede for divine intervention in the situation confronting the Northeast. “We are confident that this will be over someday.” He also seized the opportunity to thank AUN-API for their continuous support towards the IDPs. Alhaji Jika announced that the company had earlier donated relief items to IDPs under the care of JIBWIS in Yola. The food items distributed were noodles, rice, vegetable oil, and sugar. Visiting Ecologist Recommends Sustainable Farm Method for Adamawa V isiting ecologist, Andrew Jones, at a public lecture on campus, advocated permaculture as a development path for Adamawa State. Coined in the 1970s from “permanent” and “agriculture,” permaculture is the AUN Community Receives Counter-terror Lessons T he anti-bomb squad commander in Adamawa State, Mr. Peter Dan Otobo, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, has asked everyone in the university community to be security conscious. He was speaking at a two-day training for members of the University community on security in June. ASP Otobo said security should not be viewed as a luxury but a necessity, being also a requirement for economic development in any given society. The training took the participants through a series of presentations and talks on areas covering general security, security initiatives, security alert, terrorism as a concept, the awareness of bombs, and suicide bombing. Assistant Vice President of Security & Safety Operations, Dr. Lionel Rawlins, having invited members of the community to the training, described it as a part of the Nigerian security forces’ community development program that is designed to keep institutions, universities, churches, banks, and other organizations up-to-date on security methods. Sylvanus Ntul of the Anti-Bomb Squad of Adamawa State Government House, Yola, lectured on suicide bombing and how to stop it. Ntul said that the best strategy to stop terrorism is to gather intelligence. He stressed that whenever anyone happens to have any information, it must be managed well by sending it through the right channels. ecosystem intended to be self-sufficient. The lecture drew listeners from within and outside the university community. Members from API were present, including Alhaji Abubakar Abdulmumini, the Chief of Bole, and Assistant Vice President Abba Tahir, a member of the API Agriculture and Food Security Committee. Mr.Tahir, who also heads the Office of Public Affairs, hosts the event, described Jones as a permaculture designer and sustainable development professional who has experience, particularly in post-conflict and disaster contexts. The lecture, which took place on July 28, also explored opportunities for agricultural and economic development using permaculture for Adamawa State. On the following day, there was a trip to Bole community that offered an opportunity to see firsthand the permaculture design method that was implemented by Andrew Jones in the community. Jones has worked on projects in Iraq, Jordan, Kiribati, Mongolia, Indonesia, Macedonia, Peru, Mexico, Canada, and the US. He resides in Mexico and is based at an ecological life skills education center called Baja BioSana. AUN-API Launches N1 Billion Insurgency Intervention Fund A UN, with its peace-building partner, the Adamawa Peace Initiative, has launched an appeal fund to help resettle the hundreds of thousands of the refugees displaced by Boko Haram. Close to 1.5 million of those affected by the insurgency in Adamawa are now displaced and homeless. More than half that number is made up of school-age children, most of whom are now no longer able to attend school. The Chair of API, Dr. Margee Ensign, appealed to the public for help: “With the end of the Boko Haram in sight, we must focus on rebuilding the shattered communities and their dislocated people... Help is now coming their way; through the N1 billion Insurgency Intervention Fund all public-spirited individuals and corporate bodies now have a chance to become part of the emerging solution.” In the northeast alone, according to figures from the United Nations, more than four and a half million are food-insecure. The Famine Early Warming System (FEWS) an international famine early warming platform, has raised the possibility of famine in NE Nigeria. As part of its mission as a “Development University,” AUN has been assisting more than 275,000 displaced persons and their children with food and mobile education. The funds being sought would provide basic necessities as well as aid the displaced to return to their homes. Donors might opt to sponsor a school, health center, or a borehole. Under the leadership of Dr. Ensign, AUN and API have helped thousands of vulnerable Nigerian youth obtain an education, develop valuable life skills, and resist recruitment by Boko Haram. With strong extended family bonding in the local culture, most displaced people now live with relatives rather than in refugee camps. Of an estimated 405,000 IDPs who fled to Yola, only 15,000 took refuge in camps. AUN-API counts among its membership prominent Muslim and Christian leaders, traditional rulers, academic and business leaders, NGOs, CBOs and other members of the Yola community. Having worked in Adamawa since January 2012, the group knows the terrain and is in a unique position to pool resources together to find and implement solutions to the refugee crises, and to bring stability to the region. The Managing Director of Afrinvest, Ike Chioke, supported the fundraising launch in Lagos on October 6th, which also honored the 10th anniversary of Afrinvest. Mr. Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group, contributed N50 million in funds and food supplies and Mr. Femi Otedola, Chairman Forte Oil Plc, contributed another N5 million. These resources are currently being used to feed and care for the approximately 150,000 IDPs remaining in Yola. 17 July - September 2015 • 77th Edition A AUN Gets USAID Grant for Technology-Enhanced Education Low-income Earners Exposed to Stop Light Approach to Eliminating Poverty E major highlight of the Abuja Conference on technology-assisted learning was the signing of a multi-million naira grant by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and AUN, to support the University’s project that uses technology to teach literacy to vulnerable children and IDP children in Adamawa State. The signing of the grant by the USAID Mission Director, Mr. Michael T. Harvey, and AUN President Ensign was witnessed by the Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Julius A. Okojie, and the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Ms. Maria Brewer. The U.S. Chargé d’Affaires announced the award of an $801,000 grant by the USAID in humanitarian assistance for IDPs in Jimeta and Yola in Adamawa State. She said that the grant would support the activities of AUN to improve access to education services for vulnerable children and IDPs. With this new funding, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires noted, the total U.S. humanitarian assistance grants to AUN since the start of the insurgency crisis in the region stood at nearly $901,000. ($100,000 was given to AUN by USAID for food and humanitarian assistance earlier in the year) Ms. Maria Brewer, who remarked that, “Where education is lacking people are less likely to attain economic opportunity”, informed the Conference that the United States Government, through USAID, had supported several humanitarian, transitional, and longer-term development activities in north-eastern Nigeria, totaling $87.1 million, in collaboration with the Nigerian Government at the federal, state, and local levels. Ms. Brewer expressed the hope that the AUN will use its Student Empowerment through Language, Literacy, and Arithmetic (STELLAR) program to improve literacy and numeracy for 20,000 vulnerable, at-risk children, orphans of IDPs, and host communities in Adamawa State. She informed participants that the AUN’s STELLAR program engages university students enrolled in service learning courses to write children’s books in English and local languages and to tutor children in reading and mathematics after school. The U.S. Chargé d’Affaires noted that the new funds would help expand STELLAR to include radio instruction, set up learning centres and mobile classrooms, and provide IDP beneficiaries with remote instruction via radio. She recalled that Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, had reiterated that his Administration would make education a key focus area. She informed participants that the U.S. would support the President to make education available to all Nigerians. The Deputy Executive Secretary of NUC and Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Professor Chiedu F. Mafiana, expressed gratitude to the U.S. Government for seeking ways to contribute to Nigeria’s development. He commended AUN for doing its best to fulfil the third part of its tripartite function, noting that the tripartite functions of Nigerian universities included teaching, research and community service. The LOC Chairman called on other universities to emulate the AUN and contribute to the development of their host communities. ntrepreneurship instructor, School of Business & Entrepreneurship, Mr. Fardeen Dodo, has explained how small savings can lift people out of poverty and solve their problems. At the Poverty Stop Light Sensitization/ Financial Literacy event organized for cleaners and gardeners by the Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness (OIRE), Dodo challenged his audience to invest in themselves and work hard to develop skills that will pull them out from poverty. He maintained that it is not only when a person has formal education that he/she can be successful. Dodo encouraged them to take charge of their lives and find ways to support themselves. The Executive Manager of Projects and Proposals, Dr. Fidelis Ndeh-Che, told the participants how the Poverty Stop Light approach will aid them break away from poverty by attacking a problem phase by phase. “For instance, if we identify that health care is your problem, we will work with you to eliminate poverty in that direction.” He added that the Stop Light campaign will support individuals who want access to loans, training in vocational skills, and support in savings with the AUN Community Cooperative Society. The Director of Community Engagement & Service Learning, Mr. Mohamadou Dabo, encouraged them to register with the AUN Community Development projects such as soap making, shoe-making, and tailoring. fundraising program aimed at helping IDPs rebuild their lives. She also announced that the US government recently donated $801,000 to support a literacy program that will include mobile education for internally displaced children. President Ensign expressed confidence that the new state government will bring change to its people, that the security situation in Adamawa State will be stable, and internally displaced persons will return home. She described the predicament of the IDPs, soliciting government aid and partnership in tackling illiteracy in the state, promoting development, and working closely to ensure IDPs have a better life. Responding, Governor Jibrilla thanked API for the courtesy call. He applauded the group’s efforts in working at the forefront of solving the humanitarian crisis since the insurgency. Governor Jibrilla signed up as a member of the API and pledged to support the organization in its humanitarian and development efforts. He expressed confidence in API’s competence and called for a synergy between AUN-API and his government because the latter is equally concerned about bringing social change to the people. The Deputy Governor, Hon. Martins Babale, also joined the AUN-API, thanking the management for their efforts in aiding development in Adamawa State. Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Umar Bindir, remarked that AUN is truly a development university for allowing its knowledge flow out to the community. AUN-API on Courtesy Visit to Adamawa Governor O n August 24, Governor Muhammad Umaru Jibrilla of Adamawa State received members of the Adamawa Peace Initiative (API), who came on a courtesy visit. The President Ensign visits API Chair, PresiGovernor Jibrilla dent Ensign, who led the AUN-API delegation, reaffirmed the mandate of the organization in solving literacy problem, feeding thousands of displaced persons, and seeking new ways to drive development in the state. She listed the on-going projects of the organization, which include the launch of a N1 billion insurgency intervention 18 Alhaji Muhammadu Jingiya, Village Head, Yolde-Pate Bole Community IDPs Receive Farm Support I n partnership with the Swiss government, AUN-API has donated seed crops, seedlings, and farm tools to internally displaced persons residing in Bole community in Yola South. A primary objective of the AUN-API Food Security Project, its sole aim is to help the farmers improve all-season farming by providing technical support, seed crops, and seedlings to farmers from neighboring communities. A member of AUN’s sustainability unit, Mr. Rotimi Ogundijo, announced that part of the technical support will be training the farmers on better farming skills that will make for a sustainable environment. This will discourage the use of inorganic manure to increase soil fertility, teach them how to do composting, avoid the use of machinery as it disturbs the soil structure, encourage agroforestry, and encourage irrigation with the use of the pedal pump that was introduced some months ago. “We are also providing farm tools to the farmers; the criteria for selection of beneficiaries include families that are up to eight in number but the benchmark is 100.” Bole also supported the initiative by providing farmland to the IDPs residing in their community. Secretary of the Village Head, Mohammed Yahya, acknowledged that Bole has been assisting the IDPs for eight months now. Currently the community is hosting close to 500 IDPs. “The farm allocation was given based on what they decide to plant; most of them are looking for a safer place to stay. Many of them are not returning back.” Crops distributed to the IDPs include maize, groundnut, rice, and beans. President Ensign Receives Yola District Village Heads P resident Ensign received 11 village heads of the Yola District on a courtesy visit on September 10. Led by Alhaji Abdulmumuni Abubakar of Bole, the chiefs said, “We are here to express our sincere thanks for your support to the communities.” He recognized the various programs that the University has initiated that are touching lives in the surrounding communities and added that the community leaders are ever willing to support the University in all respects. The chief also told the President that every village represented by the visiting heads is hosting displaced persons. Secretary to the Yola District Council, Alhaji Mohammed Alhaji Abdulmumuni Abubakar, read a thank-you letter on behalf of the village Abubakar heads. He said that the free ICT training of community youths by AUN is highly appreciated. He said it prevents those youths from being idle and roaming about. President Ensign responded that she felt honored to have all the leaders at AUN. She recognized the role community leadership can play in the development of the country and said, “I think you have the power to move things forward. People have so much respect for your leadership.” Dr. Ensign went on to ask how these leaders can help in educational development in their communities. “Recently, the US government has decided to support our literacy effort. And we have to reach 20,000 vulnerable children in the next year. So we are going to be using radios as well as tablet computers. I would like to ask each of you to help us because we have to make sure we reach these vulnerable children so they can read in Hausa and in English.” The chiefs pledged to mobilize 200 children each from their communities for the literacy project. President Ensign and Abdulmumuni 19 July - September 2015 • 77th Edition AUN Awards 12 New Scholarships A UN awarded 12 new scholarships this fall to deserving students.The New Student Regional Scholarships are in addition to the scholarships for existing students awarded to 10 percent of the University’s student intake. On August 1, 168 candidates wrote the AUN merit-based scholarship examination in all the six geo-political zones of the country. Two winners for each zone were selected to receive the scholarships. This year’s winners come from Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Kano, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, Lagos, and Ogun states, representing the nation’s six geopolitical zones. Names of winners were posted on the AUN website: www.aun.edu.ng The AUN scholarship program enables the less-privileged to access quality university education, purely on merit. As part of its mission as Africa’s “Development University,” AUN is anxious to seek out the best talent in the country, regardless of family income, region, state, or ethnicity. “For me, AUN is the intersection of hope and ambition,” said one candidate in the competitive selection test. The 168 candidates who wrote the test came from different social and economic backgrounds. The merit exams, for which no fees were charged, took place in Port Harcourt, Enugu, Ibadan, Abuja, Kaduna, and the Yola campus of AUN. #EducateOurGirls Campaign is One! O ne year after the launch of #EducateOurGirls campaign and the creation of the AUN Foundation to educate disadvantaged girls and boys in Nigeria’s northeast, more beneficiaries have seen a dramatic transformation in their lives. President Ensign launched the AUN Foundation in Washington, DC, on September 4, 2014, supported by Professor William Bertrand of Tulane University and Dr. Mbaranga Gasarbwe, the UN Assistant Secretary for Safety and Security. Robert Smith, a philanthropist from the United States has come forward to provide full scholarships to 23 of the Chibok schoolgirls who escaped from Boko Haram, and who now study on the AUN campus. He will be honored in a ceremony at Founder’s Day on November 14th. In addition to these young women, over 110 Almajiri boys are presently enrolled in a Feed and Read program of the University. Each of these children gets a meal per day and is enrolled in literacy classes run by AUN student volunteers. The University has also acquired equipment to mount mobile radio literacy classes for the larger Adamawa community. Dr. Ensign envisaged the #EducateOurGirls campaign to “…raise global awareness to the need to focus on the education of girls and boys in the North East region of Nigeria and…provide citizens across the globe with the opportunity to demonstrate unflinching support for the rights of girls AUN Schools Reposition T here is a visionary new educator in town. Seasoned administrator, Mrs. Nkem Uzowulu, has taken over as Executive Director of AUN Schools. From the new position, she takes charge of the AUN Early Learning Center, AUN Academy (Elementary), The Charter School, and AUN Academy (Secondary). Mrs. Uzowulu is the fifth principal since the Academy was established in 2002. Bringing fresh ideas and iron-clad discipline, Mrs. Uzowulu said her target of repositioning AUN Schools goes beyond merely being the best in northeast Nigeria. “Neither is my target Nigeria. My target is international. I want to raise children who can stand side by side with any child from any part of the world. That is my goal.” In pursuit of this goal, she has introduced different strategies that include a motivational curriculum, early morning classes, more prep time, extra tutoring for students taking external examinations, guidance and counseling services, and enhanced teachers’ welfare. The new helmswoman believes the planners of the Academy have already done a huge part in providing an ambience for excellence. “The first day I drove into this college, I was proud of the neat teaching and learning-friendly environment. Add excellent curriculum and motivated teachers and you get first rate students. My task now is to motivate the students to become the best they can be, to realize the sacrifice their parents made bringing them to this quality environment, and to aim for the sky. More hard work does not kill; it brings out the best in you.” and women to pursue their education in a safe environment. “We are asking the citizens of the world to put their money where their hashtags are and tangibly express their support for education and for protection of the human rights of these girls.” Professor Bertrand pointed out that educating young girls has a positive correlation to development in the health of the general population. “Educated women tend to have fewer children and take better care of the children that they have. As a result, society has a higher quality of human capital at every level and the quality of life improves for all. This is one of the core elements that goes into creating an environment that will fight off epidemic threats and encourage better health for the people,” he said at the 9th AUN Founder’s Day where he delivered the keynote address. Indimi, Dangote Swell IDPs Appeal Fund W ith the goal of rehabilitating survivors of the Boko Haram violence, AUN launched a N1 Billion Insurgency Intervention Fund. Soon after the launch, the AUN-API received a N100 million donation from a Borno philanthropist and Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources Limited, Alhaji Muhammad Indimi, through the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Alhaji Muhammad Umaru Jibrilla. Dr. Indimi is a proud parent of three AUN graduates, including a pioneer student. The Fund launch was held at the same time as the 20th anniversary of Afrinvest West Africa Limited. Afrinvest is offering pro bono advisory services to the Fund. The Fund has also received a boost from one of Africa’s leading industrialists and philanthropists, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who promised to assist the IDPs at the Lagos event that was held on October 6. Two weeks later, on October 15, Dangote Foundation sent in N50 million donation, which included N35 million worth of items: rice, spaghetti, sugar, seasonings, salt, vegetable oil, and 5,000 blankets. ‘Inside AUN’ is a quarterly publication of the Office of Communications & Public Relations, American University of Nigeria, Yola Editorial: Innocent Nwobodo (Director); Omorogbe Omorogiuwa, Nelly Ating Photographs: Abubakar Jibrilla, Innocent Theophilus Editor: Daniel Okereke 0805 821 8790 Contact: [email protected]