Academics and Morality is the only Means to Transform Cameroon – Dr Tadzong Grace Awasum
By Francis
Ekongang Nzante
Dr. Tadzong Grace Awasum has stated emphatically that morals hold a very important place in academics and that it is the only way that trained young Cameroonians can possibly impact on the transformation process of their country. She was speaking on Friday November 19th in Yaounde during the Matriculation Ceremony at EXHIST University where she was the guest speaker.
She emphasised without reserve on the importance of the underlying role of morals in any educational venture. “Morality plays a major role in academics. We are training health care professionals to contribute in the building of this nation and we can’t build without morality. Morality is the capacity to accept what is good and say no to what is bad. It is the capacity to look at another person and respect the dignity in that person.” She said Academic Excellence without morality will not be able to help the student to build but will rather help the student to destroy. “In an institution like this, we aspire to build and improve upon the competences of students. They should be thought to do to others what they expect others to do to them. This is the principle of reversibility. This principle states that if you do something and it comes back to you then you should be happy. That's why morality to me is more important than having good grades and excelling in academics. If I teach a student I will not expect that student to be upright if I am not morally upright. It takes me to be a moral model for the student for it is only through this means that we can have any positive impact on this country.” Dr Tadzong Grace Awasum is an Associate Professor of Nursing and Public Health at the School of Health Sciences of the Catholic University of Cameroon.
Madam Eyong Quinta, Director of Academic Affaires at EXHIST University Yaounde said this was the third year of the existence of the institution and that 70 students were involved in the matriculation ceremony which was logically the third that had ever been organised by the University Institute. “We have matriculated 70 students today. There are those for Health Sciences, those for Home Economics, Business and Finance as well as Computer Engineering and Software. What is Special about this year’s Matriculation ceremony is that the students were given the name “Batch of Innovation.” This is because EXHIST has realised and are still realising many new things.”
She
said at EXHIST University students could simultaneously receive their lessons
online as the classes were going on adding that the institution apart from
Health Sciences had opened its doors to new options. She further intimated that
the Student Union had been created and that the Executive Committee of this
body was installed during the Matriculation ceremony. This body she said had
been selected following free and fair elections. “Another uniqueness of this
Academic year is that we also recognised students who stood out in qualities
such as Discipline, Humility and morality. We encourage every student at EXHIST
University not only to be academically upright but to also be morally upright.”
The
Student Union President Ekwebe Clotilda called on all the students to
collaborate with them in order to make sure that the newly installed Executive
Committee would meet up with the responsibilities that were placed on their
shoulders. In this manner, all the problems of students would be duly conveyed
to the appropriate quarters for appropriate solutions to be sorted out.
Mr
Ngang Nelson Nche, Director of EXHIST University, Cameroon addressed the
matriculating students in the following manner: “Dear Freshmen of EXHIST, from
now on, you shall carry the image, character, thinking, etiquette and honour of
EXHIST....Permit me paraphrase Charles Darwin (1809-1882) by saying, it is not
the strong or clever who survive but rather those who are resilient, embrace
innovation and are ready for transformation.
As
young adults, you need to equip yourself with the know-how that the 21st
century needs.
We
live in times of furious change precipitated by technological changes. The old ways of doing things have been
rendered untenable. Going forward, only those who are innovative and accept new
challenges will survive. Acquiring skills in Information and Technology will go
a long way to improve your success. There is absolutely no excuse for anyone,
not of this generation to be computer illiterate, no matter your area of
specialty. This is why we have made available recent technological gadgets to
assist you get the best in your studies here.
Remember
you have embarked on a journey of growth through a comprehensive and well
packaged subject matter. From today, you must remain open minded, be tolerant
to divergent views and receive and evaluate opinions without prejudice.”
Some
highlights of the occasion included a Matriculation Discuss by guest speaker
Dr. Mrs. Awasum, Traditional Dances, Presentation of Matriculating students by
the Director of Academic Affaires madam Eyong Quinta, Taking of Matriculation
Oaths coordinated by Dr Ojage Raphael Ayuk, Pledging Ritual by Mr Humphrey and Mme
Marion, the award of scholarships by the Director of Academic Affairs and the
installation of Student Union Delegates by Mr Ngang Peter.
No comments:
Post a Comment