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Biochemistry Department Holds First Orientation Exercise for 100L, 200L Students

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The Department of Biochemistry held its first orientation programme for the 100L and 200L students on the 24th November, 2021 at the University’s Multipurpose Hall. The event witnessed the first official outing of the newly elected Dean of Science, Prof. Benjamin Dauda, the presence of the Head of Biochemistry Department, Prof. S. E. Atawodi, FAS., FAMedS, members of staff of the Department, and some guests from the Department of Chemistry as well as from the Directorate of Advancement & linkages.

Declaring the event open, the Head of Department welcomed the entire staff and students to the ceremony and encouraged them to be of good moral behavior as they strive to achieve academic excellence. He further encouraged them to work towards being among the best graduating students of their time. In his goodwill message, the Dean of Science advised the students to take advantage of the vast human and other resources at their disposal to catapult themselves to enviable heights in life.

During the ceremony, students were treated to lectures and talks on different aspects of student life. A talk on career prospects for Biochemistry graduates were reeled out by Dr Faokunla Opeyemi who pointed out expertise of Biochemists are highly required as laboratory scientists, scientific officers in research institutes, and in government agencies such as NAFDAC, SON, FRIN, NABDA; quality control officers at drug and pharmaceutical companies, food and bottling companies; and within the educational sector as lecturers. He also encouraged them to acquire entrepreneurial skills in areas of their passion.

While educating the students on the criteria required to be met before graduation, Mr Victor Sheneni pointed out that students must ensure that they pass or earn the minimum required total credit unit of core, required and elective course as prescribed in the Departmental handbook. He further listed SIWES and final year project research as part of the compulsory requirements for graduation.

To equip the students with some tips to enhance their studying, Dr J. P. Mairiga spoke on ‘Building good study habits for academic success’. He admonished the students to remain focused, believe in their innate abilities, recognize their individual talents/potentials, and strategize on how to optimally harness them.  He concluded that the key to achieving academic success is experimenting different studying methods in different environments with the aim of adopting and or adapting that which works out best.

One other important aspect of the orientation programme was the discourse on “Examination Ethics and Examination Malpractice” which was anchored by Mr Elkanah Glen, the Departmental Examination Officer. He drew the attention of the students to the fact that 75% attendance was normally required to qualify to sit for examination of all courses. He also enumerated the major offences constituting examination malpractices as well as their penalties, and other requirements for participating in examinations, including possession of an examination card/School I.D card, etc.  

In the Q&A session that followed all the presentations, the Head Department, Prof. S. E. Atawodi provided clarifications on all issues raised by the students, the Class Representative for 200 Level gave a vote of thanks, and the year’s orientation ceremony ended with group photographs.