RSUST And Conventional Thinking

The impact of public perception on an institution, organisation or a corporate entity is quite important .Public relations specialists hold that when the actual identity of an institution tallies with its public perception, it creates an enabling environment where mutual understanding prevails. With Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), the need to provide a suitable platform on which its policies and programmes are cheerfully communicated to its internal and external publics has remained quite imperative, especially in a context marked by conflicting public perception.
Firmly established in 1980, the institution has continued to actively mould public opinions on its policies and programmes, positioning its age-long reputation in the strive for world-class university; making contributions to national economic development, eradication of poverty, illiteracy, ignorance and remaining focused in the formation and reformation of human capacity. It is in the confirmation of its vision and objective that the university has contributed notably in the reformation of tertiary education in the country. It would be recalled that electronic examination was first conducted for post UTME candidates in 2009 by the university. For over three decades, the institution has remained consistent with technological changes, providing studies opportunities in bachelor degree, masters degree, PhD programmes, various online packages and distant learning programmes in view; and serving as a prestigious example in technological advancement, academic research, and quality education.
In an attempt to provide and maintain both suitable and reliable platforms for higher learning, the institution has implemented its lCT Master Plan. This programme, which is aimed at providing basic knowledge in various computer packages, was introduced in 2008 by Prof. Barineme B. Fakae, the most active, dynamic and prolific Vice Chancellor of the university.
Among state universities founded between 1979 and 1983, after the 1979 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which placed university education on the concurrent legislative list, RSUST is quite exceptional in the strive for world- class university, taking the lead in ICT and building its reputation and leadership position among competing state and federal universities. By creating a conducive learning environment across traditional and digital platforms, the institution could comfortably boost its contribution to knowledge in the realm of human existence.
By this, it should be an understatement that the institution has put a pay to the era of manual record keeping as students examination records, academic data, course registration, course outlines, payment schedules for senate meetings, etc can now be accessed and processed online!
With much missing lines of current changes in the institution, it remains that moulding one’s perception along lines of positive realities will not only strengthen the ongoing transformation programmes, but will also foster the university to a greater height. At least, a visit to the central library of the institution could provide a suitable platform on which views and perceptions are framed. Currently an electronic research- based unit has been set up to aid academic research. Known as the Work Station, the unit visibly harbours an approximated figure of 50 computer set with reliable and stable internet connectivity. Designed to aid easy access to volumes of electronic journals, e-books and other on-line materials, the work unit is firmly established to provide answers to prevailing research questions and challenges of the 21st century. The library is now characterised with constant power supply, qualified librarians, and a sheer serenity.
The university has heightened its fame beyond the bounds of commonly accepted standards of educational achievements, advancing not only in information communication technology, but also in its ethical responsibility; offering certificates to students on graduation; celebrating its annual convocation consistently; and conquering all forms of social disharmony, political conflicts, examination malpractice, stealing, cultism, sorting, religious violence, ethnic discrimination, and indecent exposure. With an unparalleled commitment to academic excellence and creativity, it could now be said that the giant strides of the present administration have done well.
On this ground, the esteem public of the institution, should joyfully align their own perception along the positive lines of notable development and technology, advanced by the current administration in the last 4 years, and should accept the mere fact that such intellectual effort remains a sine-qua-non for educational reformation.

James is a graduate of Mass Communciation at RSUST, Port Harcourt.