Universities now award professorship like chieftaincy titles – VC UNIAbuja
The Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Professor Abdul-rasheed Na’allah says the award of a professorship in Nigeria has become bastardized and turned into ‘chieftaincy Titles without any form of assessment by the federal government’s regulatory bodies.
The Vice Chancellor was speaking in Abuja at a forum where researches were presented on how to march needs with schools curricular for national development.
He said the universities simply award their professorship like chieftaincy titles without thoroughly assessing the recipients and making sure they have made enough researches to contribute to the industrial and economic development of the country.
Time was when professorship was never seen as a chieftaincy title, to be acquired by just anyone with deep pockets, or one with widespread tentacles. Then, professorship was seen as a well-deserved crown for decades of academic toil. Bearers of such titles were, in a manner of speaking, deemed to be highly knowledgeable.
By way of introduction, a professor is a teacher of the highest rank in a four-year college, university or sundry tertiary and research institutions in most countries.
Among other things, professors conduct original researches, teach undergraduate, graduate and professional courses in their fields of expertise. In universities with graduate schools, they may mentor and supervise graduate students who are conducting research for a thesis or dissertation.
Though a professor is accomplished and recognized academic with Ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates being one of the earliest recorded professors, universities in some countries also give notable personalities, athletes, and foreign dignitaries the title of honorary professor, even if these persons do not have the academic qualifications typically necessary for a professorship.
However, such “professors” usually do not undertake academic work for the granting institution. In general, the title of professor is strictly used for academic positions rather than for those holding it on honorary basis.
Professor Na’allah said the award of professorship to some persons by Nigerian universities should be investigated.
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