FEATURED NEWS
11th Registry Day: VC Charges Staff on Service Delivery
- Details
- Published: 19 January 2023
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Owunari Abraham Georgewill, has described the use of new technology as the panacea for swift service delivery. The Vice Chancellor, made the observation at the 11th Registry Day of the University, which held on the Thursday, December 8, 2022, at the Ebitimi Banigo Auditorium.
The Vice Chancellor commended the Registry staff for their dedication and meticulousness in documentation over the years, adding that as custodians of the rules and regulations of the University, its expedient that records be made easily retrievable for effective governance. “There is a technological shift in the workplace, especially in University Administration. I am hopeful that the lecture today would address the emerging trends in the responsibilities of the Registry Department and further equip the team for higher productivity,” he said.
He frowned at the slow pace of documentation, poor handling of sensitive documents, unwillingness to learn and adapt to emerging trends, lateness, absenteeism, lack of mentorship, egocentric tendencies as some of the challenges facing the Registry. “The time lapse between movement of files and documents must be drastically reduced. It is so bad sometimes that some documents are received after deadlines and in most cases confidentiality of documents are trivialized, this and many more must be checkmated,” the Vice Chancellor stated.
Professor Georgewill who expressed delight at the number of commendations received since the successful review of the career structure in the University, said there is still so much to be done. He promised to support where necessary.
In her address, the Registrar, Dr Gloria Chindah, welcomed the Registry staff while describing the Vice Chancellor as a supportive friend to the Registry. Stating that this year's Registry Day theme “The Registry: Arms, Responsibilities and Challenges” is apt and timely, the Registrar called on the members to take advantage of discussions led by the various resource persons to develop their skills and competence to better the Registry Department.
Dr Chindah commended former Registrars for painstakingly building a formidable functional Department. “I met with Deputy Registrars to extract work related challenges and ideals towards repositioning the Registry. I also went on a tour to Faculties, Departments, Units, Centres and Institutes where we had robust and fruitful sessions where challenges facing the registry were noted,” she disclosed.
“May I announce to us that by the special grace of God, the reviewed career structure has been approved at the 182nd meeting of the Governing Council meeting held on Thursday, November 3, 2022. Junior and Senior Staff who have been stagnated for a long time will now progress along the chosen career path,” she said. She disclosed that one of the outcomes of the meeting of the Governing Council was the approval of the staff appraisal for promotion in the 2021/2022 session.
Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion, Professor Kinikanwo Anele urged Registry staff to imbibe the culture of respect for senior colleagues which, according to him, is the essence of the different designations and the bedrock of administrative excellence. He frowned at truancy, lateness and all-round poor attitude to work.
On his part, the Special Guest, Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Professor Prince Mmom, commended the Registry for upholding the standard of practice in such sensitive areas where utmost confidentiality is required. The commissioner who was represented by the Director Quality Assurance, Lady Silverline Ibama, congratulated the University for maintaining its uniqueness as one of the few universities where the Registry is celebrated in such colourful manner.
The high point of the day was the presentation of awards to 24 Junior and Senior staff retirees for their meritorious service to the University. The discussants were: Dr Ekwi John Adegbsan, Mr Oluwasina Kwamina Orukotan, Mrs Chinelo Okoroma and Mr Don Promise Aalonee, while Dr Justice Ewelie moderated the session.
