That tacit side of ASUU almost unsusceptible to strike action

By definition, University, as a community of teachers and scholars, is an institution of higher education and research. ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities), is the umbrella of academic staff of Nigerian universities, committed towards ensuring the adequate provision of resources and facilities necessary for achieving the missions and visions of the Nigerian Universities.

These missions and visions are generally centred on excellence in teaching and research; and the application of both in promoting national development through addressing prevailing socio-economic challenges. Consequently, the responsibilities of academic staff in Nigerian Universities, the ASUU members, are broadly classified into teaching, research and general/administrative duties. The teaching aspect is the most obvious, while general/administrative duties can be anything necessary for the welfare of students and staff, as well as for the smooth running of the universities – from office responsibilities; to quality assurance and enhancement; to curriculum development; to mentoring students and provision of emotional support through guidance and counselling, etc.

Contribution to excellence in research is mostly through publications and sharing of the research findings (with the broader scholarly and professional communities) via publications in academic journals, books, conferences, seminars, workshops, etc. Commitment to research requires remaining constantly active in investigating new ideas within a specialist area; determining improved research methodologies and/or analysis techniques; formulating new concepts and ideas; and ultimately generating new products or solutions to certain challenges. Ideally, the end result of a carefully organized, adequately funded, and well executed research activity is innovation and skills development.

However, in most Nigerian Universities neither time nor necessary resources are specifically allocated for the academic staff to engage in valuable researches. In general, research is tacitly regarded as a sort of personal thing, despite it being an essential part of the job. But most academic staff in Nigerian Universities engage in research with a passion, and a personal commitment regardless of receiving required support (or not) either from the universities or the Federal Government. Research commitments rarely get acknowledged, except for the publications being necessary requirements for promotion.

It is not surprising that even ASUU hardly attempt refraining the members from engaging in research related activities, as part of strike. Even with the current strike action, the focus of ‘the total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike’ are largely about ‘… no teaching in any programme, no attendance of statutory meetings, no examination of any sort, no convocation, no inaugural lectures, no accreditation exercise, etc’. Almost everything is around teaching (and learning) and administrative duties.

But to truly obtain the productive graduates needed by Nigeria, and generate the necessary human capital required for the successful diversification of the Nigerian economy, our universities need to do a lot more just than teaching and learning. Education in general, and especially university education, requires research related activities (and findings) to be well integrated into the teaching and learning process. Developing transferable skills, building capacity, and empowerment of the upcoming generation cannot be achieved through teaching and learning alone.

Research is one of the first steps towards conceptualization, practical application and appreciation of knowledge. It is among the best means of engaging and inspiring individuals to realize their full potentials and figure out the right questions to be asked in solving problems, and consequently, how to go about answering them. It is through research that curiosity and ingenuity are explored so that ideas are brought to life; it is through research that talents are revealed and innovations ensued; it is through research that things get created and jobs emerge; it is through research that nations develop by inciting creativity, innovation and generation of new ideas.

One of the primary aims of ASUU is “to encourage the positive contributions which the Academic Staff Union of Universities can make to the economic and social progress of Nigeria …” The creation of an enabling environment for a teaching and learning system, well integrated with focused and vibrant research activities, is key to achieving the stated aim.

ASUU, with unwaivered resolve to save the system, from what can be regarded a blithe attitude of the Federal Government towards education over the years, is playing a leading role towards resuscitating the system. But there is only so much that ASUU alone, can do. It is necessary to consider realignment of our University policies, to be more research oriented and focused towards acquisition of knowledge, skills and attributes necessary for the establishment of a diversified and knowledge-based economy.

Although there are more than insignificant efforts by the Federal Government in support of academic research, it is quite indequate. The Federal Government need to show more interest, commitment and support towards the realization of better research and teaching environment. There is need to have structures in place (both tangible and intangible) to support research, not only from its inception to actualization, but up to and including the establishment of its findings as marketable products or services.

If all the current investments in youth empowerment and entrepreneurship programmes are guided by such research findings, and used as basis for directing the teaching aspects in universities, the vast majority of our problems will be sorted in the very near future.

In the words of Dr Abdul Kalam, in his famous speech ‘Teachers Should be Role Models’: “the education and learning process has to culminate in the creation of professional capability leading to confidence and will power to make a design, to make a product, to make a system, bravely combating many problems”.

Dr. Zakari teaches at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

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