The Director of Students’ Affairs in Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Dr. Chuku D. Chinogonum, has said that there is cordial relationship between the polytechnic and its students saying that there has been no case of violence and disruption of academic activity since he became director.
Speaking in an interview the director said: “I would say that we have cordial relationship with our students. Issues relating to students are always discussed and dialogued amicably without conflict. That is the procedure”.
He said sexual harassment should be discouraged in schools.
Dr. Chinogonum said: “The purpose of establishing an academic institution is for learning. It’s not for sexual activities. One has to respect himself. One has to know his role and play his role. As a student, they should keep to their role and study and the lecturer is there to impart knowledge and not to demean himself”.
He described students of the polytechnic as role models saying that within the community they were known as Captain of Polytechnics in Nigeria.
Dr. Chinogonum said that the school had qualified lecturers who impart knowledge saying that students of the polytechnic perform “exceptionally well” elsewhere on graduation.
He said that the student population was increasing and efforts were made by the Rector, Dr. Samuel Kalagbor, Academic Board and Governing Council to have more courses accredited.
The director of students’ affairs encouraged students pursuing higher education to come to the polytechnic saying that the school has qualified and experienced lecturers.
He said: “What we’ve been doing over the years is something that could be verified. So we have testimony. We have evidence to prove that we are on it”.
He said cases of misconduct by students were dealt with by disciplinary committee set up by the school authority.
He said matters which could not be handled at department level were brought to office of the director of students’ affairs and then to the disciplinary committee if the matter could not be handled immediately.
He said that there were challenges as the director of students’ affairs including students demanding their rights, coming for clearance without payment of fees or dues or using fake receipts.
The director who is also lecturer in School of Foundation and General Studies said that students who study hard perform very well.
Students who spoke praised the director for being nice and understanding.
One of the students named Ifeanyi Itunichukwu of Computer Engineering department, National Diploma, said that the director had been nice to him.
The student said: “He’s actually nice. He’s nice to students and does not like problem. I remember I had an issue of getting a hall for my club, the Rotaract Club, and when we brought the matter to him he just assigned a hall for us. After that he started advising us”.
He also said that the director was sociable with students.
The school had not recorded violence and disruption of academic activity since Dr. Chinogonum became its director of students’ affairs.
