VC reaffirms commitment to building a globally competitive UNIZIK School of Nursing
NMCN Accreditation Team Commends UNIZIK Nursing Facilities, Identifies Areas for Improvement
As VC reaffirms commitment to building a globally competitive School of Nursing
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) accreditation team has commended Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, for the facilities and resources available for the training of students in the Faculty of Nursing, while identifying areas requiring further improvement to sustain the standards of the programmes.
The Team Lead, NMCN, Prof. Margaret M. Opiah, made the observations during the exit meeting of the accreditation team with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, at the University.
Prof. Opiah noted that the students’ classrooms were good and adequate, while the University library had current textbooks and journals. She also commended the University’s auditorium, describing it as beautiful, and noted that the professors’ offices were adequate. The teaching hospital, she added, was also satisfactory, while the staffing situation was considered adequate, with nurses appropriately dressed and in possession of current practicing licenses.
Prof. Opiah however, stressed the need for the clinical instructors to undergo regular training and retraining, noting that effective nursing education was largely skills-based. She recommended that clinical instructors be sponsored for relevant workshops or that the Department organise internal training programmes involving experienced nurses from clinical settings to strengthen their practical competencies.
On the proposed Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre, the Prof Opiah noted that while the University had made efforts in providing the facility, the available space would need to be expanded if it was to accommodate professional examinations conducted by the Council.
The accreditation team also expressed concerns about the condition of the Primary Health Care facility used for students’ clinical experience, noting that some aspects of the environment and ward arrangements required improvement.
In her remarks, the Secretary, NMCN, Izundu Nneka Osinachi, also drew attention to the lack of network connectivity in the University’s e-library, stressing the importance of reliable access to digital resources for students. She, however, observed the need for padded seats in the classrooms and the provision of more current mannequins in the demonstration rooms for both Nursing and Midwifery.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to developing a globally competitive School of Nursing, noting that achieving such a standard was a continuous process.
Prof. Anyaehie explained that several of the concerns raised by the accreditation team were already being addressed through ongoing projects and institutional plans. He disclosed that the University had secured a ₦2 billion TETFund grant to support Medicine and Nursing, with the provision of mannequins and facilities for clinical skills training among the areas targeted by the funding.
The Vice-Chancellor said the University was also developing a new building which would accommodate critical needs of the Faculty, including demonstration rooms and offices, adding that the issue with the CBT Centre was primarily one of space rather than availability of computers. He noted that the University had significantly strengthened its ICT infrastructure, with additional desktop computers and laptops available for deployment as the necessary spaces were provided.
On the concerns regarding the Primary Health Care facility, Prof. Anyaehie said the University would examine the facility and explore alternatives where necessary, including other health centres being used by students of the University. He also expressed readiness to support improvements in critical areas of the facility, particularly where such interventions would enhance students’ clinical training. He addressed the issue of staffing, noting that while the University had approval to recruit additional personnel, financial constraints had affected the implementation of the plan, but expressed the University’s willingness to continue strengthening its staffing capacity as resources permit.
Prof. Anyaehie reiterated that the University’s objective was not merely to meet accreditation requirements but to build a standard programme capable of producing well-trained nursing professionals and maintaining the reputation of the University. He noted that the University currently had several schools of nursing seeking affiliation with it, attributing the interest to the quality of candidates and training associated with the institution. He therefore stressed that maintaining high standards remained essential.
Also present at the meeting were Team Members, NMCN, Okoro Odochi Vivien and Blessing Adams; Director, Nursing Services, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dike Christiana Ebele; Director, Academic Planning, Prof. Angele Ufele-Obiesie; Ag. Dean, Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Prof. Florence T. Sibeudu, Ag. Head, Department of Nursing Education, Administration and Research, Dr. John E. Anieche; HOD, Department of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Prof. Noreen E. Agbapuonwu; HOD, Public Health Nursing, Mrs. Ifeoma H. Obidife, amongst others.
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