The Vice Chancellor, Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Prof. Mohammed Khalid Othman, has held the first ever parley with students for constructive engagement and discussion of their pressing needs and proffering solutions to the challenges the students were facing. The parley, entitled “Listening to Every Voice, Building a Better FUDMA”, was attended by Principal Officers, Provosts, Deans and Directors and the students, provided a golden opportunity for both parties to listen to one another, discuss pressing issues affecting students, share ideas and identify practical ways of improving the students’ welfare and academic progress for the overall benefit of the University.
Prof. Othman underscored the importance of the parley with thestudents, noting that “the assembly is a symbiotic avenue for the
students to listen to the Management and equally for the Management to listen to the students, for a harmonious rapport
among the critical stakeholders of FUDMA.
He stressed that “effective communication requires both parties to listen and understand one another”, encouraging the students to
disclose their demands and challenges without any inhibitions”, adding however that “this should be done responsibly and with
utmost respect.” Prof. Othman charged the students and other stakeholders to work harmoniously with the University management towards finding workable solutions to all the challenges that would be raised. “Several issues raised by students in the past few weeks have received the attention of the Management, including matters relating to increment of registration fees, Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) challenges, under-service by the University Health Services, accommodation challenges and the impolite approach of the security personnel students perceived to have contravened the University’s dressing code”, he stated.
While shading light on the motive behind the increment of the registration fees, Prof. Othman disclosed that the decision was due
to the hike in fuel prices, electricity billing, internet and other services that are making the running of the University more expensive.