Association of V-Cs releases guidelines for award of honorary degrees

The Secretary-General of the Association, Prof. Michael Faborode in an interview said that the guidelines would be effective from January 2013.

He said that the 27th conference of the association held at the Nasarawa State University had examined the general erosion of academic culture and tradition.

He said that henceforth these guidelines would be referred to as the ``Keffi Declaration’’.

Faborode said the ``Keffi Declaration’’ would reduce the indiscriminate award of honorary degrees and restore the age long university culture and tradition of best practices.

``We have observed that the number of honorary degree awardees have become uncontrollably large, ranging from one to 20 in a single convocation ceremony and at times presented in absentia to surrogates.

``We have also noted that most of these awards are based on wealth, political office, and position as a means of generating revenue with little or no consideration for integrity.

``There’s no consideration for contribution to the development of the university and no consideration for national development.’’

He said that the onward procedure for the award of honorary degrees enjoined universities to make it a policy not to bestow honorary degree on any person holding political office while still in service.

He said that the guidelines and procedure for the selection of honorary degree recipients should be in accordance with the law and statute of the respective universities.

According to Faborode, this should be in line with best practices and the selection process should be through the appropriate committee of the awarding university’s Senate.

``The award of degree should be given to any professional who has made significant or ground breaking discoveries in the areas of accomplishments, invention, and innovation among others to societal development.

``This should not be tied to wealth consideration or political alignment, rather it should be based on leadership, service and the contribution of the recipient to social and economic development of the society.’’

Faborode said that no university should be allowed to award honorary degree ``if it has not graduated any PhD or has no post-graduate school.’’

He added that the use of `Dr’ as a title for honorary degree graduates and awardees ``is unconventional and therefore, not allowed.’’ 

He said that the association as a matter of policy had decided that universities should hold their convocation ceremonies annually and where possible within the same month each year.

Faborode said that the association in collaboration with the Nigeria Universities Commission would act as whistle blowers and take appropriate action to ensure compliance.