Senator Sampson charges Vice Chancellors to Partner Alumni Associations in Developing Alma Mater
By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
Senate Committee Chairman on Solid Minerals, Senator Ekong Sampson has called on universities in the country to collaborate with alumni associations in their institutions for the over all development of their alma mater.
Senator Sampson was speaking as Guest Lecturer on the occasion of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) Alumni Association Homecoming/Lecture titled, “The Place of Alumni in the Development of Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria”.
Senator Sampson, who was represented by Prof. Etete Peters, urged the management of universities in the country to partner Alumni Associations to close the yawning gap in developing tertiary institutions.
He noted that, though the budgetary provision for education in the country has dwindled, due to incongruent priorities in the sector by successive governments, Alumni Associations have the obligations to support their Alma Mater with financial assistance to bridge the funding gap.
Other cardinal roles Alumni Associations can play in the development of tertiary institutions in the country and even beyond, Senator Sampson said include, establishment of endowment funds, provisions of infrastructure facilities, mentorship, research development, support for internal management and promotion of institutional values.
Others are, advocacy for policy change, representation in governance and scholarships foundation as well as support for community development.
According to him, “Alumni Associations are graduates of universities that have decided to invest back in their respective Alma Mata, by advancing development programmes to improve the quality of education and infrastructure of the institutions”.
He said, globally Alumni Associations have contributed tremendously in lifting their Alma Mater, and charged the in-country associations to borrow a leaf from their counterparts to impact positively in their respective institutions, as indispensable growth partners and educational advancement in Nigeria.
The lawmaker however, recommended that, Alumni Associations should be given a considerable roles to play as well by the Vice – Chancellors, in the development and management of their Alma Mata.
The Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo thanked the UNIUYO Alumni Association for their homecoming lecture saying, it provided the opportunity for members to reunite and share thoughts on the way forward for the University.
Chairman on the occasion, Senator John James Akpan Udoedehe charged members of the Alumni to always look back at their Alma Mata, by contributing to it’s development.
He said, as an Alumni he has continousely supporting UNIUYO by funding development projects at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, and enjoined members to come up with a development project the association can embark upon to assist the University.
High point of the Alumni Homecoming/Lecture was the presentation of awards to the distinguished alumnus, UNIUYO Ambassadors and Special Alumnus.
The Homecoming Committee Chairman, Prof. Peter Esuh extolled members of the Association for their commitment in contributing to the development of their Alma Mater stating that, it dignified the importance how the Institution had impacted on members.
