Parents of Uniuyo dentistry students raise alarm over non-accreditation of courses

The Forum of Parents of Dental Students, University of Uyo, Uniuyo, Akwa Ibom State has raised the alarm over the non-accreditation of the dentistry programme in the university since its inception in 2021.

The Forum expressed fear that the students risk spending extra years if nothing is done to forestall the looming academic disaster.

They made this known on Friday during a press conference in Uyo shortly after a peaceful protest displaying placards with various inscriptions such as ‘Do not normalize extra years for professional students’, ‘Save the future of Uniuyo Dental Students now’, ‘We reject unnecessary prolongation for our children’, among others.

Chairman of the Forum, Mr Sunday Elijah who spoke through Otuekong Vincent Udoh, expressed pessimism about Uniuyo securing accreditation for the programme within the one year and four months left for the graduation of the pioneer students, given lapses in the accreditation requirements by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN.

The Forum regretted that the university management has not invited the MDCN for an advisory visit let alone an accreditation visit, saying that proactive measures should be adopted by the institution, the Federal Government and the state government so that the students who are at the verge of graduation are not left stranded.

Parts of the statement presented by the Forum read, “Ideally, accreditation should have been secured before the admission of students into the programme. However, the University is only now making attempts to procure limited equipment, which are insufficient in relation to the current student population per class and do not meet established accreditation standards.

“In view of this, there is an urgent need to implement immediate alternative measures to safeguard students already in the clinical phase, while the University works toward establishing a compliant and sustainable foundation for the programme.

“However, we acknowledge that during one of our engagements with the University management, we were informed that approval had been granted for the purchase of only ten (10) dental chairs and ten (10) phantom heads. We submit, with due consideration, that these numbers are grossly insufficient to meet the minimum requirements for accreditation.

“After careful evaluation of these options, we strongly believe that the Internal merger represents the most immediate, practical, and feasible solution, particularly for students in Year 5, Year 4, and Year 3, based on the following reasons: first, the quota for the MBBS programme at the University has not been exceeded for these classes, meaning that accommodating these students is feasible. For example, the total number of students in the Year 5 class is 87 (65 medical students and 22 dental students), while the approved quota for Medicine is 150 students.

“Second, the students in these classes have already undergone the same foundational medical training as their MBBS counterparts. They attended the same lectures and have successfully sat for the Part 1 and Part II Bachelor of Medicine (MB) examination in their 300 Level and 400 Level respectively alongside their medical counterparts. They have also participated in the same clinical postings in Medicine and Surgery, and are currently at the same level of academic and clinical progression. This makes the integration into the MBBS programme both reasonable and academically justified.

“Third, the merger can be implemented immediately without waiting for the construction of new facilities, recruitment of lecturers, or completion of accreditation processes for the Faculty of Dentistry, which may take several years to achieve.

“Fourth, this approach will prevent unnecessary prolongation of studies and protect the students and their families from avoidable emotional, psychological, and financial hardship.

“Fifth, extending the merger to Year 3 students is particularly important because they are approaching the clinical phase of their training, and early intervention will prevent further academic disruption.”

The Forum urged the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, for clemency and to hold the University of Uyo management accountable without subjecting innocent students to further hardship arising from circumstances beyond their control.

However, when contacted, the acting Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo, Prof. Samuel Odewumi, admitted that securing accreditation for the dentistry programme has become a big concern to him since assumption of office.

He assured that university management will do everything within its powers to ensure that accreditation is secured.

“If there is anything I have been concerned about since I came into office, is this issue of accreditation. We have done everything as an institution that needed to be done, including award of contracts and lot more.

“It is not something that could be done in a day or two, but I want to assure you that everything is in progress. What is left is to invite the the council for accreditation of the programme,” the VC said.

Parents of Uniuyo dentistry students raise alarm over non-accreditation of courses