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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Conference of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities (CAANU) an umbrella body of alumni associations in universities has appealed to Vice Chancellors and other management staff of universities to see alumni associations as partners in progress and not extension of Student Union Government (SUG) as being perceived by management of some institutions.
The Association highlighted the great and legacy roles (complementary) that alumni associations play, individually and collectively, in the growth and development of their alma mater elsewhere in the world, but unfortunately, less impact is being made by alumni associations of universities in Nigeria, perhaps, due to poor relationship.
CAANU President, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, told journalists at the fourth quarter delegates conference held at Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, that universities in Nigeria are loosing a lot from their inability to harness the potentials abound in effective management and relationship with alumni associations, individually and collectively.
He said: “We often tell Vice Chancellors that there’s always a nexus between students’ experiences in the campus and their commitment to alma mater. Many students, because they were allegedly treated unjustly by the school, they often turn their back on the school despite efforts to connect them with the alumni.
“We have told VCs at different fora that if they want the alumni association to be critical stakeholder in the school affair and its development, then students must not leave the school with bitter experience.
“There are indications that Federal Government might soon grant financial autonomy to universities. If that happens as signs indicate, then all stakeholders including alumni association would play critical role in providing funds and other services for the school.
“For instance, an alumnus can choose to offer free lecturing opportunity as part of contribution to the school. Those who can afford it can choose to provide scholarships, mentorships, internship opportunities, periodic financial assistance and others, to indigent students. But these people won’t do this if they left the school with horrible memory.
“Unfortunately, there’s a subtle conflict between alumni associations and university managements. Some VCs don’t show interest in the activities of alumni associations because of the disregard they have for the association and that has affected the relationships. Unarguably, some alumni associations see themselves as an extension of SUGs which ought not to be.
“When an alumni association begins to dictate to the school management the way to run the day to day affairs of the school, definitely you should expect unhealthy relationship. So, we need to build a stronger relationship with the school management. That’s the only we can collectively support the growth and development of the universities.
He, however, cautioned the alumni association against militant-like approach to their engagements with school management so they are not seen as an extension of Student Union Government (SUG).
Delegates at the meeting also discussed possible realistic ways the alumni association could engage in creative investment opportunities for the associations, as well as creative strategies for growing alumni association, bringing in members who might have vowed not to be associated with the school, perhaps, due to terrible experiences they had during their days in school.
Vice Chancellor, Bingham University, Prof. William Qurix, who was represented by Jerome ihuma, appreciated CAANU for the choice of the university for the fourth delegates’ meeting.
He acknowledged the great roles alumni associations play in sustainable development of institutions, hence he challenged CAANU to proffer superior ideas and solutions that would strengthen relationships between alumni associations and school management.
President of Bingham University Alumni Association Worldwide, Artmas Kingsley, in his remarks, highlighted the efforts made by the alumni association of his school to strengthen bond and love among members, looking after member’s welfare and pushing for opportunities for self growth and development.
