For over seven months, the University of Ibadan has made a relatively successful transition to a learning system that accommodates the use of virtual tools. In many ways, virtual classes have naturally reflected a clear shift towards platforms engaged to break barriers in learning and social connectivity in general.
While virtual classes might have gained traction within the University, a generally pervasive inclination to virtual meetings for other purposes, online seminars and programmes, especially where participation is invitational is yet to become an accepted participatory norm.
Such virtual programmes may be organized by campus-based organizations, student government bodies, NGOs and others in the scope. This is not to say that such bodies have not demonstrably shown such inclination for virtual meetings, however, the discontenting issue here is tailored towards the problem of poor audience attendance in these virtual meetings. The attitude of Zikites to online seminars or programmes largely exemplifies this situation.
Earlier in the session, April 10, 2021, the Sebastian-led administration had organized a mental health online seminar through the office of the health minister, headed by John Inioluwa. The online seminar was held in the first semester while the prohibition of students’ accommodation was still in place. The virtual seminar which held on Google meet however recorded a poor attendance ratio of Zikites, freshmen and stalites. Lamenting the poor turn-out, the health minister pointed out how much Zikites were missing by not participating in the health seminar. According to him, “mental health is an emerging issue which is recently being focused on…the fact that people don’t understand the benefits of what they stand to gain at the seminar can be an impediment to attendance.”
More recently, the Zik Hall Academic Committee organized an online academic seminar for stalites on telegram, on the 22nd of October. The Academic Committee head, Mr Samson Oloyede, also the Hall Secretary, clarified that, telegram was used for the seminar as using zoom would have consumed more data. Clearly, a cost-effective medium favourable to the participants was planned.
Also, the committee organized another telegram-based academic seminar for finalists on the 25th of October. With beneficial academic seminars planned, interesting and relevant topics to be discussed by resourceful facilitators and adequate publicity, the committee head could only express shock at the meagre number of participants present at both seminars. With Zik hall’s population running in hundreds the expected average level of participation was drastically disproportionate to the recorded participants’ figure. The average number of participants in both seminars was barely 13. 13 participants for a Zik hall programme! Excluding the facilitators, moderator and non-zikite participants, participants from Zik hall could barely reach 7.
Perhaps, it could be contended that participation could have improved if the seminar had been physical. However, the committee head argues the need to broaden the audience range, making the programme inclusive of non-Zikites, hence, the virtual seminar. Including non-zikites in the hall’s programme is not a novelty. The Academic Committe’s tutorial sessions have always accomodated non-zikites, a show of Zik hall’s quality of generosity and mark of inclusiveness. Secondly, he laments inadequacy of funds to set-up a physical seminar, especially as it would require the provision of ‘participation-motivating‘ item 7.
He further pointed out that one of the facilitators for the finalists’ seminar, Mr Tosin Adebanjo, connected from Spain, clearly, holding the seminar virtually was required. Buttressing his reasons, the virtual seminar certainly puts participants at their convenience. Familiarity with the virtual platforms from the virtual class experiences also adds to ease of navigation.
Unfortunately, Zikites failed to match up with the zeal of the Committee with the clear show of disinterest. Remarking, Oloyede says, “the response we expected were not it and we were really surprised because even non-zikites who attended testified to the impact. In fact one of them mocked at the low turn-out by Zikites who profess the spirit of Zikism yet boycott such a beneficial programme” Needless to say is the fact that the seminars had been well publicised across zik hall platforms with over a hundred participants. The presence of non-zikites clearly demonstrates the publicity’s intensity.
This much attests to a persistent apathetic attitude by Zikites towards open virtual seminars. Quite appalling is the gross show of disinterest for these programmes especially where its essence is deepend by the need for optimal preparation for the forthcoming exams. Interestingly, it was observed on the Zik hall’s “Issues Affecting Zik Hall” group that there was a demand for a finalists targeted programme subsequent to the organization of the stalites’ academic seminar. However, this show of desire turned out to be merely superficial.
The bothered Academic Committee head went on to press the need for concerted participation for the success of any of the hall’s programme whether online or offline. He called on principal bodies, including floor representatives to help sensitize and facilitate Zikites’ participation. He also advised that subsequent administration can make data or other internet connectivity provisions to foster online activeness.
Recalling how much the Hall Warden had hammered on the need for maximizing academic-related activities to bolster the hall’s academic reputations in his latest interview with ZHPO, the need to address indifference towards these resource-filled programmes, be it online or otherwise is necessary for its inherent benefits even without ephemeral enticements like item 7.
