KWASU Alumni Deserve Better: Fix Transcript Delays Now
I honestly thought I would never need to write to Kwara State University (KWASU) again because nearly a decade ago when I was student, I wrote to the administration too many times. Yet, as Wole Soyinka rightly said, "The man dies in all who keep silent (in the face of wrongs)." Something is wrong in our beloved institution, specifically concerning its alumni, and it's time we gave this issue the attention it deserves.
I've discussed this in private conversations with fellow alumni, and though I don't have pictures, I recall sitting in a meeting with our beloved former Vice-Chancellor - may his soul rest in peace - in his office opposite A-Division. He assured us that a committee would be formed to address this issue. That was 3 or 4 years ago, and it's been 2 years since he passed, yet we still face the same challenges accessing our transcripts. We go to our portal to access our records to apply for further studies or any other reason and we find our records incomplete. We go down to the campus to have it sorted out and have to go from office to office, spending multiple days on campus, and in many cases still having to leave without the transcript.
As a proud product of this prestigious institution, I strongly urge the management to issue an official communication addressing the concerns of the alumni community around this issue. Regardless of the degrees we go on to obtain, KWASU remains the foundation of our academic journey, our orisun (our source). When we speak of KWASU, we tell the world that it is not just the pride of Kwara State, but the entire nation as it remains the only public university in Nigeria with an uninterrupted academic calendar and arguably the most beautiful campus in Africa. We represent our school proudly and will continue to do so. But we need the university's support to truly soar, just as it has groomed us to.
There are situations where Alumni pay for transcripts, and travel from across the globe or within the country, only to face obstacles in obtaining them. This is unacceptable. It must change. I urge all alumni to log into their portals at portal.kwasu.edu.ng. I did, and I noticed that some courses I completed, and passed, as evidenced by my graduation, are now marked "Not Available" on the portal. Again, how can we pursue further education or career advancements when accessing our transcripts is this arduous? The current process, involving visits to the campus, running from office to office, and staying in hotels, only to leave without success, is simply wrong. In 2024, we should not have to come down to the campus to get (unofficial) transcripts. This process should be done electronically. The second verse of our anthem says, "With skills, INNOVATION, and integrity, we will expand the frontiers of knowledge." The founders of this great institution, KWASU, envisioned a pace-setting university hence the addition of those lines to the anthem. Transcript processing and delivery should be done electronically and with ease.
I hereby invite my fellow alumni to take screenshots of their portals showing discrepancies and email them to the registrar (on registrar@kwasu.edu.ng). We must unite in addressing this issue, starting with an email campaign. I have drafted an email template below for your convenience. Let's take action.
I trust the registrar to resolve this speedily. She is an experienced and intellectual administrator with numerous publications on university management and leadership. So, I am certain that she will address this issue once it is brought to her attention. This problem started long before she took office, and I am confident she will resolve it swiftly once she receives our emails. However, if perhaps due to unforeseen issues, by mid-November the university has not provided an update on the situation - explaining the cause of the problem and laying out a clear timeline for resolution - we may have no choice but to explore legal options. Insha Allah, it won't come to that. We trust in the wisdom of the amiable Vice-Chancellor and Registrar to keep our institution as great as it is destined to be.
May the Almighty grant KWASU's leadership the wisdom to solve this issue. God bless Kwara State University, and God bless its alumni.
Here's the email template to the Registrar:
Email Subject: Request for Resolution of Alumni Transcript Delays
Dear Ma,
I am writing as a proud member of Kwara State University's alumni community, seeking your immediate attention to the difficulty concerning access to academic transcripts. Many alumni, myself included, have encountered difficulties in obtaining our transcripts despite completing the necessary payment processes and even visiting the campus in person.
Upon visiting the portal and reviewing my academic records there, I found discrepancies where courses I successfully completed now appear as "Not Available." This situation has caused significant delays for alumni pursuing further education or career opportunities, and it reflects poorly on the university's otherwise outstanding reputation.
I kindly request that the university issues an official statement to the alumni community, outlining the cause of this problem and providing a clear plan and timeline for resolving the issue. We trust in your capable leadership to address this matter promptly.
I, along with other affected alumni, eagerly await your response and look forward to a swift resolution.
Thank you for all you do to keep KWASU great.
Sincerely,
Shalom Ibironke
KWASU Alumni
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