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University of Kent to discontinue certain courses, due to lack of competitiveness in student enrollment 

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University of Kent to discontinue certain courses, due to lack of competitiveness in student enrollment 

The University of Kent has proposed to gradually discontinue courses in modern languages, philosophy, and other disciplines, favoring the expansion of subjects like law, business, and computing.

This announcement was made by the university’s spokesperson.

According to the spokesperson, the courses potentially affected include anthropology, journalism, health and social care, religious studies, philosophy, music, art history, English language and linguistics, comparative literature, and modern languages.

It was learnt that simultaneously, the university aims to enhance offerings in biosciences, business, computing, law, and psychology.

These changes may lead to the potential redundancy of up to 58 academic positions, according to the University and College Union (UCU), representing the latest in a series of cutbacks at the institution in recent years.

A Kent spokesman indicated,

  • “The university is responding to several financial challenges including the fixed tuition fee, rising costs, and changes in student behavior”.
  • “This had prompted the university to explore changes to our size and shape to ensure we are well placed to grow in priority areas in the future”, he added.

The university spokesperson also mentioned that proposed changes presented to staff for consultation include discontinuing future recruitment in areas where they perceive a lack of competitiveness due to national student enrollment projections. The University Council for Languages expressed “deep concern” regarding the potential loss of language offerings, fearing it would leave south-east England as well as potential students underserved.

UCFL urged Kent to capitalize on existing efforts and ensure access to core humanities and social science subjects for local applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Kent underwent a review of its humanities provision in the summer of 2023, initially putting 52 academics at risk of redundancy, though later opting against compulsory layoffs. Additionally, the university paused staff pay raises last year as part of the national collective bargaining process.

While the university’s 2022-23 financial accounts are yet to be published, the previous year’s showed a deficit of £65.4 million.

The Kent spokesperson affirmed plans to collaborate closely with staff and trade union representatives “in the weeks ahead before any final decisions are made.”

Education

Ekiti university expels two students for assault as police begin probe

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The management of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education Science and Technology Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI) has expelled a female student caught in a viral video flogging her colleague.

On Monday, a clip circulated on X which captured the student assaulting her colleague with a cane.

In the footage, the perpetrator is heard screaming at the victim, saying: “I want to see you fight back. You called me a bastard? Is it because I have kept silent? I must draw blood from you today and no one can stop me”.

The victim is seen running to safety while being chased by her attacker.

The video also captured several individuals present during the assault, yet no one attempted to intervene.

The footage provoked outrage on social media, with users calling on the institution to investigate the incident.

Tope Akinbisoye, the varsity’s spokesperson, earlier revealed that the school disciplinary panel on Monday summoned the students in the viral video.

But in a statement on Tuesday evening, the school authorities announced that Opemiposi Precious Bolaji, the perpetrator who is an 18-year-old student of the Department of Mass Communication, has been expelled.

The student was expelled alongside Genesis Osaro, another student who provided the stick with which Gloria Ajayi, the victim, was beaten.

It is understood that the trio are 100-level students of Mass Communication.

In the statement, the varsity management reiterated its “zero tolerance for all forms of indiscipline” within the school premises.

“Miss Opemiposi Precious BOLAJI with Matriculation No. 10232, a 100L Mass Communication student who was beating her colleague with a stick and threatening to inflict bodily harm on her for allegedly destroying her 3-year old love affair with her boyfriend was found guilty of misconduct and flagrant breach of her matriculation oath and consequently EXPELLED with immediate effect,” the statement reads in part.

“Miss Genesis OSARO, a 100L Mass Communication student with Matriculation No. 10257, who provided the stick with which Gloria AJAYI was beaten, was found guilty of misconduct (as an accomplice) and flagrant breach of her Matriculation oath and consequently EXPELLED with immediate effect.

“Miss Gloria AJAYI, a 100L Mass Communication student with Matriculation No. 10295, who was seen being beaten in the viral video but did not retaliate or engage in fisticuffs with her tormentors, was EXONERATED.

“The duo of Miss Mistura Eniola ADEJUWON with Matriculation No. 10435 and Miss Precious Oluwapelumi OLANREWAJU with Matriculation No. 11126, who gleefully recorded the video and posted on social media were WARNED and advised to always report such incident to the Directorate of Students’ Affairs and the Security Unit of the University rather than excalating it on social media.

“Mr. Olawale AJEWOLE, a 200L Mass Communication student with Matriculation No. 6021 was EXONERATED for making efforts to lock Miss Gloria AJAYI inside a room to prevent further beating.

“The University will like to reiterate its zero tolerance for all forms of indiscipline and avowed commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the University community. We encourage anyone who witnesses or experiences any form of harassment, abuse or violence against any student to report it immediately to the appropriate authorities.”

POLICE PROBE INCIDENT

Adeniran Akinwale, the commissioner of police in Ekiti, also ordered an investigation into the bullying incident.

In a statement released by Sunday Abutu, the state police spokesperson, Akinwale ordered the Ikere area commander to work with the varsity’s management to “ensure the perpetrator is identified, investigated and made to face the legal consequence(s) of her barbaric action”.

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Education

JAMB releases additional 531 of 64,624 withheld UTME results

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The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released an additional 531 results for its recently concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Fabian Benjamin, the board’s national spokesperson, confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday.

JAMB, on April 29, released the UTME results of 1,842,464 candidates.

The exam body said 64,624 results were under investigation for reasons including verification anomalies, centres suspected of infractions, and cases of exam malpractice

Benjamin said the board proceeded with the screening of the withheld results.

He said an additional 531 results have been released, taking the total number of results released to 1,842,897.

“In the course of the exercise, other cases of examination misconduct were also established to make a tally of 92 from the 81 initially discovered,” Benjamin said.

“The board is also looking at cases of unverified candidates and will soon come up with a position.

“For now, the method of checking the 2024 UTME remains to send UTMERESULT to 55019 or 66019 and not through any other process. The result, at the moment, is not on the Board’s website.”

Benjamin denied claims that an unknown candidate who did not partake in the board’s 2024 UTME obtained scores.

“In investigating some of these allegations, the board discovered that some of these mischief makers copy results sent to other candidates, edit the details sent to themselves, and then parade this as emanating from the board,” he added.

“The board challenges any candidate, parent or anybody with such a claim or information to prove it wrong by coming forward with the details of such claims and the phone number with which such results were conveyed.”

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Education

Ekiti university student flogs colleague in viral video

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The management of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education Science and Technology Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI) has begun a probe into a viral video of a female student flogging her colleague.

On Monday, a clip circulated on X which captured the student flogging her colleague with a cane while shouting at her.

In the footage, the perpetrator is heard screaming at the victim saying “I want to see you fight back. You called me a bastard? Is it because I have kept silent? I must draw blood from you today and no one can stop me”.

The victim is also seen in the video running to safety while being chased by her attacker.

The video also captured several individuals present during the assault, yet no one attempted to intervene.

The footage has sparked a chorus of condemnation on social media, with users calling on the institution to investigate the incident.

Speaking on the matter, Tope Akinbisoye, the varsity’s spokesperson, said the students in the viral video were summoned by the school disciplinary panel on Monday.

Akinbisoye revealed that the school management is awaiting the outcome of the panel’s meeting to determine the appropriate sanction.

“The school is aware. They faced the students’ disciplinary panel yesterday. We await the decision of the committee probably today. And we will issue an official statement. All of them involved faced the panel,” he told TheCable Lifestyle on Tuesday.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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