…To donate land to NAAT for Secretariat
The Vice Chancellor, VC of the Federal University of Technology Owerri,FUTO, Prof. Nnenna Otti has approved that henceforth, academic Technologists in the university would have opportunities of attaining the position of directors in the institution, particularly, in the equipment and maintenance units.
The VC also said that the appointment of such directors would be on the recommendation of the Chief Technologist so that he or she can design a laboratory that would match the specification of the department.
Prof. Otti, who disclosed this Tuesday, when responding to a number of requests by the members of the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, of the university led by Dr. Ugochi Ngozi Daniels, who paid her a familiarization visit in her office, commended the union for being among the best that have ensured industrial peace in the university.
She particularly lauded them for respecting leadership and not joining in fighting leadership like some others.
The VC therefore encouraged them to keep it up and also appealed to them not to engage in any discussion that pulls down the authority, because, according to her, such actions attract a curse from God.
Prof. Otti used the opportunity to approve a piece of land for NAAT to build a secretariat in FUTO, assuring them of more support.
On promotion, the VC disclosed that promotion to management cadre is strictly subject to vacancy and competency.
She also assured the union that she would look into fair and equitable distribution of the 30 percent TETFUND whenever the fund started coming, lamenting that FUTO has been on TETFUND blacklist because of non retirement of funds by those they gave the money in the past.
Prof. Otti further pointed out that the incessant strike actions by some unions in the university had affected the University so much.
She said, “We have not been receiving any money from the Federal Government and as long as the students were not paying, the system would keep deterorating.
“It is in the best interest of FUTO that we train technologists and other staff at both local and international levels to keep them abreast of emerging technologies, but there won’t be funding for any training now because the university is running out of income”
In view of this, the VC also urged the academic technologists to continue to manage the limited laboratory space until situation the changes.
She urged them to continue to give her administration their support to succeed.
Earlier, NAAT FUTO branch chairman, Dr Daniels, said her members were on the visit to congratulate Prof Otti on her appointment as the new VC, familiarize with her office and as well pledge their unalloyed support and also use opportunity to state some of their challenges.
According to Dr Daniels, of importance was the need for the VC to look into the promotion of some of NAAT members who have been on a single level for about 10 years without promotion, demanding also the payment of their responsibility allowance which was stopped during the administration of Prof. C.C. Asiabaka as VC.
The union also urged her to ensure that the 30 percent TETFUND allocation for non teaching staff is used judiciously for its purpose.
The FUTO NAAT chairman expressed satisfaction at the VC’s response saying that she was humane and could not do what is beyond her control. He expressed optimism that as soon as things changed for good, the VC would do more for the union and others.
She assured the VC that her members would always pray for the management by putting in their best for the uplift of their university.
NIGERIA NEWSPOINT
