The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), on Saturday, condemned the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the lackadaisical attitude towards regulating and monitoring admission quotas for admission into professional courses in universities across the country.
In a reaction by Dist. Sen. Akinteye Afeez, President of the Senate , NANS Headquarters , the association Bemoans neglect by NUC, saying it has encouraged university managements to perpetrate unethical practices by admitting students into professional programmes beyond the capacity and guidelines set by respective professional bodies.
“It is alarming that certain university managements admit more students than they can adequately train and are aware that the students will not be able to obtain the necessary licenses to practice upon graduation.
This malpractice has created a dire situation where many students, particularly those in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) programmes, have been left in limbo. Some MLS graduates have been unable to write their professional exams or gain indexing, despite having completed their studies as far back as seven years ago.
“This unacceptable situation has resulted in the inability of graduates to work in their chosen fields having invested many years of their lives and substantial resources into their education. Their inability to take professional exams not only hampers their career prospects and progression but also wastes the potential contributions they could be making to society, ” Azeez decried the situation.
This, NANS calls on the NUC to take immediate and decisive action to ensure that universities adhere strictly to the admission quotas set by respective professional bodies, saying it is imperative quotas are strictly adhered to, to prevent the oversaturation of students in Programmes that cannot support their professional development and licensing.
NANS added, “Furthermore, we demand that university managements comply with these quotas and prioritize the welfare and future of their students by ensuring they are only admitted into Programmes that can adequately support their training and professional licensing.
“The plight of MLS students across the country is a pitiable example of the consequences of ignoring professional admission quotas. These students have been unfairly treated and their future jeopardized by institutions that are supposed to guide them towards successful careers.
“NANS stands in solidarity with these students and all others affected by such malpractices, “Comrade Azeez added.
NANS called on NUC to implement stringent monitoring and regulatory measures to safeguard the interests of all students and ensure that universities maintain the highest standards of integrity in their admissions processes.
“We believe that with the NUC’s intervention, the integrity of professional education in Nigeria can be restored, and future students will not have to endure the hardships currently being faced by many,” NANS added.
