The high level of quackery ravaging our ivory towers has been attributed to nonchalant attitudes of members of the academia, love of money, poor economic condition of the country and seeing lecturing as a last resort for joblessness, thereby contributing to the collapse of the education sector in the country.
This observation was made by the Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies, University of Ibadan, Prof. Jonathan Oyebamiji Babalola while delivering a lecture, titled: “Issues in Supervision” and “Mentoring of Ph.D Students” during an academic training workshop themed: “BEST PRACTICES IN DOCTORAL PROGRAMME TRAINING AND ADMINISTRATION” organised by the Postgraduate College, Tai Solarin University of Education in collaboration with the Directorate of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance held at the University main Campus, Ijagun, Ogun State.
Prof Babalola further noted that many people in the academia have become too busy running after money such that a lot of them have ventured into other unprofessional conducts, thus, creating vacuum for experts in the academia. “A lot of people now see the academia as a ready-made alternative to make easy money without really working extra hard”, he added.
While highlighting some of the challenges facing supervision of Ph.D students, Prof. Babalola
observed that non-accessibility to equipment and laboratory, course knowledge, poor power supply among others are reponsible for poor supervision and mentoring of Ph.D students.
In the same vein, the former Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Lagos, Prof. Solomon Akinboye challenged Postgraduate Schools to provide necessary information on admission requirements as it remains a major pitfalls for many Ph.D students.
He stated this during a presentation titled: *”The Process of Producing a Ph.D Holder”,* as part of the training workshop for academic staff of the University.
Prof. Akinboye further noted that the Postgraduate School is an integral part of the University and as such, its vision and mission should align with the University’s philosophy.
He, therefore, urged potential Ph.D supervisors to be willing, supportive, interested and posses the required expertise in the student’s specialised area.
The University don further reiterated that sufficient funding of Postgraduate Schools, provision of adequate facilities, equipment and robust quality assurance mechanism are prerequisites for quality Ph.D programmes.
“Ph.D is serious work, it is not meant for the faint- hearted and must be pursed with all seriousness, dedication and determination by all parties involved,” he stressed.
The Professor of International Relations concluded that the process of producing a Ph.D holder is complex but could be seamlessly circumvented.
In his welcome address, the Provost, Postgraduate College of the University, Prof. Mushay Ogundipe noted that the University is determined to give its staff and students the best in terms of support in order to ensure that it brings out the very best in them.
He also noted that the training was coming shortly after a recent orientation programme for new students of the College.
Other guests at the occasion included the Director, Directorate of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance (DAPQA), Prof. Niran Adetoro, Deputy Director (Academic Planning and Quality Assurance), Dr. Jimoh Owoyele, Secretary, the Postgraduate College, Dr. Femi Kayode and former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Joseph Olusanya, as well as Deans of Colleges, Directors of Centres and Heads of Departments among others.
