ASUU rejects introduction of duty register by Delta Varsity

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka branch, has rejected the “clock-in and clock-out” policy recently introduced for academic staff by the authorities of the institution. The union, in an August 10, 2018 letter to the state’s Commissioner for Higher Education, described the policy as non academic, unprecedented and a deviation from best-practices in the global academic community. It said “there is no university in the country (and possibly the world) where academics clock-in and clock-out,” adding that the policy “will only make mockery of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, and the entire state, before the national and global university community.” It noted that that university lecturers are involved in teaching, research, and community development, hence members of ASUU – DELSU would continue to discharge their responsibilities with regards to these obligations. The union said the policy was a threat to the globally cherished non-negotiable autonomy of the university, which the union would continue to defend. It advised the Governor and visitor to the university to see those behind the policy as saboteurs who did not wish him well. The letter was signed by the branch chairman and secretary, Prof. Abel Diakparomre and Dr Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri. The memo requires academic staff to clock-in and clock-out each time they resume and close from duties with effect from Aug. 1, 2018.]]>