Open AccessA Decolonial Strategy to Reconstruct Student-Management Relationships in a University System
Author(s) -
Bunmi Isaiah Omodan
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
academic journal of interdisciplinary studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.148
H-Index - 5
eISSN - 2281-3993
pISSN - 2281-4612
DOI - 10.36941/ajis-2021-0034
Subject(s) - dichotomy , decoloniality , thematic analysis , citizen journalism , management system , sociology , focus group , university system , political science , public relations , engineering ethics , engineering , medical education , higher education , qualitative research , social science , law , operations management , medicine , philosophy , colonialism , epistemology , anthropology
Despite the contributions of university education to nation-building, the potential of Nigeria’s university system to fulfil its responsibilities is frequently obstructed by crises. Among the prominent crises, according to observations and literature, are those linked to student-management dichotomies, which make it practically impossible for universities to actualise their aims. This study is framed by the theory of decoloniality, and aimed to formulate a strategy to enhance the management of crises involving students and universities authorities. Participatory Action Research was adopted as research design. Focus group discussion was used to collect data. Ten participants that acted as co-researchers, from Nigeria, representing university management staff, lecturers, security personnel and student union leaders, both past and present. The participants were selected using the expert sampling technique. Socio-thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The study revealed that a lack of modern communication, poor dialogue mechanisms, and students’ non-involvement in decision-making were major propellers of student-management dichotomies in the university system. The study recommends solutions, among which a mobile/electronic application designed as a strategy to decolonise the old ways of managing students in a university system.
Received: 18 November 2020 / Accepted: 2 February 2021 / Published: 5 March 2021