AN INTERVIEW WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FACULTY


 By Otunla Oluwadarasimi



 

FATSSSA PRESS: Can you please introduce yourself?

 

Vice President: I’m Toluwaleke Owonifaari, Vice President of FATSSSA.

 

FATSSSA PRESS: Can you share a bit about your role as Vice President of the Faculty of the Social Sciences for those who do not know?

 

Vice President: Basically, the Vice President is the chairman of the Educational Development Committee that sees into providing coursework feedback and organising tutorials for traditionally difficult courses.

 

FATSSSA PRESS: What are your top three priorities as Vice President of FATSSSA?

 

Vice President:

 

1. Enhancing feedback: I, together with the executive council will implement efficient feedback mechanisms and promote communication between the faculty and FATSSSAITES.

 

2. Organising Effective Tutorials: Ensuring that tutorials for traditionally difficult courses are well-organised and beneficial for students. I, with the executive council, will collaborate with student representatives to develop tutorial programs that address common challenges, provide additional support and encourage active learning.

 

3. Raising awareness and accessibility of academic resources like past questions, study materials and slides available to students.

 

FATSSSA PRESS: In your manifesto, you mentioned a writing program. Could you provide more details about this program and shed more light on its aims to benefit students of the Faculty?

 

Vice President: Yes, an academic writing program that encompasses essay writing, scholarship application writing and essay writing. Extensively, this workshop will see topics such as Plagiarism, Research-work, Referencing and easy steps for search of online journals and other materials. The program is scheduled to be held by the last week in October or early November.

 

FATSSSA PRESS: What strategies have you implemented to promote diversity and inclusion within the Faculty of the Social Sciences?

 

Vice President: I’m working with the executive council and relevant committees to develop and implement inclusive policies like the proposed academic workshop, the ‘Follow The Money’ event on real estate that is scheduled to hold on the 14th of October, the just concluded FATSSSA Got Talent and whatnot. Also, I am working with other excos on initiatives that will encourage diversity and inclusivity. This can include panel discussions, workshops, cultural festivals, and awareness campaigns. The above is in plan for FATSSSA week in the second semester. By creating engaging and educational events that highlight different perspectives and experiences, I believe we are promoting diversity and inclusivity within the faculty.

We are not there yet. We will surely get there!

 

FATSSSA PRESS: As a major thing of concern to students of the faculty especially the department of psychology, are there any plans to increase opportunities for internships? If so, could you elaborate on these plans?

 

Vice President: Yes,

We are on it. The Students’ Affairs Unit of the university is in charge of Internships and Strategic Partnerships. The president, on behalf of the executive council, had a meeting with Mrs Adeoye, an officer in that unit, concerning this issue sometime ago and promised that she’d provide us with information that concerns internships and strategic partnerships in the social sciences.

 

FATSSSA PRESS: How well do you think you have addressed challenges related to faculty-student communication and engagement within the Faculty of Social Sciences?

 

Vice President:We are implementing effective communication channels like our online forum(google form) where students express their concerns, provide feedback, and ask questions. We do that immediately after each tutorial class. The social director also did the same after the FGT.

 

Recently, I did an informal survey on why only four(4) 200 level students  of FATSSSA and NESA choose to do FSS 204 in the first semester. Why is it that the remaining 200+ want to do it in the second semester? With this survey, I, together with the selected sophomores were able to engage in open discussions. By that, they voiced their opinions and asked questions.

Also, our social media platforms have been used for sharing important announcements, posting resources, and facilitating discussions.

 

FATSSSA PRESS: How have you been able to involve the students of the faculty in the decision-making processes as the Vice President?

 

Vice President: For now, I have been able to establish open lines of communication through my WhatsApp contact and also the google form we send out after each tutorial to ensure students can easily share their opinions, concerns, and suggestions.

As regards our academic writing program, we have had a few consultation sessions, focus groups and seeking student representatives to join in the decision-making.

 

FATSSSA PRESS: Concerning the aspect of learning within the faculty, how well do you think you have come along with your plans to aid the students of the faculty with the necessary resources needed?

 

Vice President: Together with the executive council and the EDC, I am expanding the academic support services available to students. First by establishing enhancing tutorials and academic/scholarship/essay workshops. Also, recently, through the office of the SU Vice President, SU PRO and departmental Vice Presidents within the Faculty, we published the academic e-library that provides access to materials and past questions for students’ use. Like I said earlier, we are not there yet. But we will get there!

 

FATSSSA PRESS: Thank you so much for having this interview with us.

 

Vice President: You are very much welcome.

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