From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Management of Kwara State University (KWASU), has described the protest staged by students of its Sandwich Degree Programme at the Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS), as “unwarranted” and influenced by individuals with malicious intent.
According to KWASU, the move was aimed at undermining the integrity of the upcoming examinations.
In a statement released by Dr. Kikelomo Sallee, Registrar of KWASU, and made available to newsmen in Ilorin, the university maintained that claims by the management of CAILS regarding their lack of involvement in the decision to change the examination venue were baseless and misleading.
“The Management of Kwara State University wishes to state that the protest staged by students of its Study Centre at the Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS) is unwarranted and promoted by mischief makers whose intention is to undermine the integrity of the scheduled examinations,” the statement read.
KWASU clarified that CAILS and Imam Hamzat College of Education, which serve as external study centres for the Sandwich Degree Programme, are not affiliated with the university. Therefore, the university is not obligated to seek approval from CAILS for decisions affecting its students. The university reiterated that all decisions concerning the programme are under its exclusive purview.
The statement further explained that the decision to centralize the examination venue was made to protect the sanctity of the examination and standardize the evaluation process. The designated venue, KWASU Conference Centre, Ilorin, had been communicated to students during an orientation held on October 2, 2024, almost two weeks prior to the exams.
KWASU also refuted claims by CAILS management that students were informed of the venue change just three days before the exams, labeling such assertions as part of a misinformation campaign.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Kwara State University will not compromise the quality of any of its processes, nor will the University be swayed by propaganda peddled to coerce it into deviating from its stance on ensuring the quality of its products,” KWASU added.
The university advised students of the Sandwich Degree Programme to comply with the centralized examination plan, as no changes will be made to the venue.
