Professor A.M. Alghali
Chairman of the Tertiary Education Commission, Professor A.M Alghali, has called for an overhaul of Universities’ fee structure and availability of facilities for them to be sustainable. Prof Alghali pointed out that lack of adequate financing prevents universities from achieving their outlined mandates.
“Frank discussions should be held on the area of fee structure to help our universities thrive and offer better services,” he stressed.
While responding to students who raised concerns on the area of paying other charges, alleging their diversion to other areas by the university for specific items, the TEC Chairman described it as a ‘misappropriation.’ He furthered that misappropriation is a situation where funds that were specifically allocated for Project A are diverted to Project B. Chairman Alghali emphasized that Insufficient finance and misappropriation are affecting the sustainability of universities.
The sustainability of universities
Professor Alghali encouraged universities to establish endowment funds that could be utilized as a means of support.
“Alumni should be contacted to provide support to their universities, especially those that are successful, and it will be a form of payback,” he emphasized
He also noted that as a result of inadequate funding, universities are producing poor students.
“Universities are establishing programs that have problems with quality,” he furthered and encouraged students to pay more fees to ensure they get quality, as quality comes with a cost.
Professor Alghali disclosed that TEC will come after lecturers who are not delivering adequate services to students, and admonished universities to endeavour to upgrade their courses.
“Most of the courses offered these days are not in line with modern trends, and universities should review their curriculum to meet modern trends,” he stated. The Professor cautioned universities to be aware that they do not merely exist to collect money but to provide quality services.
