Center For Gender Studies Commemorates International Youth Day
August 17, 2024
The College of Biological Sciences, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), on Tuesday, May 14, held a one-day Sensitization Seminar on Examination Conduct and Invigilation Best Practice.
Delivering his welcome address, the Dean of the College, Prof. C. U. Agouru who was represented by the Head of Department Zoology, Prof. A. Onekutu commended the College of Biological Sciences Examination Misconduct Committee for coming up with the idea of organizing such an impactful seminar to help instill values to invigilators and also enhance good examination management.
The Chairman of the College Examination Misconduct Committee, Dr. T. T. Sar in his remark, stated that the seminar is aimed at sensitizing and educating both the Staff and Students on what is expected of them during examination. He added that it is also to bring to an end the menace of examination misconduct bedeviling almost all sectors of learning today. Dr. Sar revealed that the Seminar has only taken its first phase, with subsequent phases organized for Students.
Speakers at the Seminar include Prof. T. F. Ikpa who Spoke on “Concepts of Examination Misconduct and General Conduct during Examination”. Dr M.M.Manyi presented on “the Roles of Invigilators before, during and after Examination”.
Prof. I. S. Eneji, an invited guest Speaker from the College of Physical Sciences tutored on “the Penalty and Consequences of Involvement in Examination Misconduct in line with the Revised Examination Regulations 2017”.
In their separate presentations, the speakers defined examination misconduct as cheating in an examination. Prof. T. F. Ika during his presentation stated that examination misconduct is on a high level of increase despite the fact that it attracts an imprisonment term most especially in WAEC, if found guilty.
Dr M.M.Manyi admonished invigilators to take invigilation more seriously. He added that examiners should evaluate both the physical and environmental factors surrounding the students to ensure examination security.
Prof. I. S. Eneji in his presentation outlined some causes of examination misconduct as relating to parenting failure, corrupt education system, poor attitude of invigilators and environmental factors. He also stated that examination misconduct reduces motivation to learn and erodes academic dignity which affect both the individual and the society. While observing that exam misconduct causes expulsion from the University, he recommended that staff involved in examination misconduct should face the disciplinary process.
In his closing remarks, the representative of the Dean, Prof. Onekutu thanked the resource persons and called for more attention to be given to attendance to ensure signing in and out of the examination hall by all the students. He also advice staff to put away poor attitudes towards examination invigilation.
Commemorating the 2024 International Youth Day, the Center for Gender Studies, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi organized a one-day symposium with the theme: “FROM CLICKS TO PROGRESS: YOUTH DIGITAL PATHWAYS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.”
The event was held on Monday, 12th August, 2024 at the College of Agricultural Economics and Extension Auditorium, North Core.
In his opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof. N.I Itodo represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Prof. Fidelis Ayatse charged the participants to make good use of the event as it x-rays the opportunities and challenges youths face in accessing digital technology. He urged them to utilize the knowledge to foster positive change.
In her welcome address, the Organizer and Director, Center for Gender Studies, Prof. Mrs. Orefi Abu said the International Youth Day is a day chosen by the United Nations celebrated globally every year to recognize young people’s vital contributions – and the need to release the potentials that they hold towards development and global economy. She added that the Day also recognizes their challenges and how to reduce them.
Prof. Abu noted that this year’s theme highlights the role of digital technology in achieving sustainable development goals – and draws attention to the important roles that youths play in these innovative processes.
She said that as young people, they have the ability to use their digital skills to promote sustainable development, and positive changes both within and outside our communities. She declared that the Center is ready to collaborate with the Student Union and other associations in the University to mark this day, going forward.
In the lead presentation titled “SIGNIFICANCE OF DIGITAL LITERACY FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES,” Dr. Chris Eche defined digital literacy as the ability to effectively and critically navigate, evaluate and create information using a range of digital technologies. He said there are two sets of people in the digital space; those who are able to critically navigate and those who are able to create information. He outlined the different levels of digital skills to include; Basic digital skills, Internet and communication skills, Information literacy, Literacy skill set, Content creation level, Cyber security and Problem solving.
Dr. Eche acknowledged that digital literacy is crucial for empowering the youth in various aspects of life from education and employment, to civic participation and personal development. He stated that while there are challenges to achieving digital literacy there are also significant opportunities to address these challenges through targeted policies, educational reforms, community initiatives, and innovative learning.
Presenting the second paper titled “YOUTH AND DIGITAL ADVOCACY: THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SOCIAL CHANGE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT,” Dr. Mrs. Hephzibah O. Obekpa observed that in an increasingly advancing world, digital literacy has been identified as a powerful tool for driving social change. She said Social media platforms are not just for communication but powerful travel engines for organization and activism.
She pointed out that the power of the youth in digital advocacy can be explored through their unique perspectives and passion, creativity and innovation, energy and resilience, education and knowledge, social media movement, policy influence and intergenerational collaboration.
Furthermore, She explained that Social media for change and social development should be one that uses the resources responsibly with the next generation in mind – emphasizing that any change that has to be sustainable must look beyond the current generation.
Dr. Obekpa concluded that young people are not the leaders of tomorrow but change makers of today. She said digital liaising offers unprecedented opportunities for youths to amplify their voices, influence policies, and drive social change on a global scale; therefore, it is crucial that young advocates are equipped with skills, knowledge, and critical framework to navigate effectively and responsibly.
Speaking on the topic “YOUTH AND MENTAL HEALTH IN THE DIGITAL AGE” Dr. Nathaniel Iber said everybody loves good health whereas mental illness is an enemy of progress and it cuts across all ages. He noted that whenever a persons abnormal thoughts, feelings or sensory impressions cause him objective or security harm mental health is said to be present.
Dr. Iber explained that mental health could be caused by alcohol, excess stress and inability to organize time well. He opined that social media has become an integral part of youths’ lives, affecting their self esteem, body image, and overall mental well-being.
The Doctor said the impact of social media could result in anxiety and depression through cyber bullying, online harassment and digital addiction however it also provides platforms where one can seek help, like, seeking online therapy and also digital literacy and education.
In a closing remark Prof. Solomon Shola suggested that the University should enter into partnership with a Company to provide incoming students with tablets so as enhance easy access to information through their years of study.
He thanked the organizers of the event and hopes that the programme be sustained.
The event witnessed sessions of questions and answers, as well as drama presentation.
