The CSN criticized the manual process, calling it mentally and physically stressful and out of place in a 21st-century academic environment.
By TheInvestigator
The Citizens’ Solution Network (CSN) has expressed concerns over the plight of former students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) who graduated in 2009 and earlier. According to a press release from the CSN, signed by Olaitan Akintade, Public Interest Communication numerous ex-students have complained about the lack of progress in resolving issues related to corrections on their certificates, leaving many stranded and confused.
The office of the Vice-Chancellor is alleged to have instructed the Database Crew, known as Zellence, to halt all processes related to certificate corrections for graduates from 2009 and earlier. This directive, which has been in effect for two months, has reportedly left former students and staff in a state of frustration, as no alternative policy or solution has been provided.
According to the CSN, the process for correcting errors on certificates at UNICAL remains entirely manual. Affected graduates are required to navigate a cumbersome procedure, beginning with a revalidation of school payments at the Student Accounts Unit, followed by verification at the Zellence Database Unit, and obtaining manual forms from their respective faculties. These forms must then be returned to the Deputy Registrar’s office for the corrections to be made.
The CSN criticized the manual process, calling it mentally and physically stressful and out of place in a 21st-century academic environment. “The University of Calabar should do better, especially for ex-students who already possess their original certificates. The process should be streamlined and stress-free,” the statement read. The organization emphasized that the current situation reflects poorly on the institution and may harm its international reputation.
Key Issues Highlighted By CSN
Lack of Alternative Solutions: While it may be acceptable to suspend existing processes due to the recent fake NYSC mobilization saga, the CSN argued that it is inappropriate to leave ex-students stranded for two months without clear communication or a new policy. “A staff member told us, ‘The VC isn’t around until she returns from her trip.’ This is unacceptable. The university should be able to function efficiently even in the absence of the Vice Chancellor,” the statement added.
Need for Modernization: The continued reliance on manual processes for certificate corrections is seen as a failure to modernize despite the university’s ICT department and its financial resources. The CSN urged the university to adopt a digital approach to minimize stress for alumni and improve administrative efficiency.
Concerns Over Additional Fees: The CSN also expressed concern over alleged plans to charge graduates for applying to the Registrar to correct errors on their certificates. “The school should take full responsibility for mistakes made on certificates. Introducing additional fees could lead to litigation and negative media coverage,” the statement warned.
Digital Archiving Needed: The CSN called for all ex-student files and records currently stored in the bursary and Registrar’s office to be scanned, classified, and saved digitally to safeguard them against potential damage.
Clear Guidelines for Corrections: The CSN urged the university to issue a memo containing guidelines on how ex-students can secure corrections to their certificates to alleviate the current frustration and uncertainty.
In conclusion, the Citizens’ Solution Network suggested that ex-students with original certificates seeking corrections should be able to obtain new certificates with the necessary changes without undergoing a cumbersome process. The organization emphasized the need for a streamlined, efficient process to ensure corrections are made within days, not weeks.