Members of the unions barricaded the varsity’s gate on Wednesday, carrying placards condemning the process. Some other members of the unions stormed the university’s Council chamber where the final selection is to be made.

Our correspondent reports that their grievance is that they have a fear that the selection committee was planning to impose one of the candidates on the university.

The protest began also after the screening committee announced six finalists out of 18 professors eyeing the post.

The university’s NASU Chairman, Mr Malachy Etim, told our correspondent that the unions decided to make its grievances known because “the process of selection of a vice-chancellor for the university has been very faulty from the beginning.

“They want to impose a candidate on us through this faulty process and we are saying we cannot accept any imposition.

“Yes, we have had internal crisis before, but the one that triggered today’s protest is the selection process.

“We are holding our congress right away and shall come up with a position in the event that the committee announces the candidate we think it wants to impose on us,’’ he said.

Chairman SSANU, Mr Wale Akinremi, also told our correspondent that members of the screening committee elected internally “got there through manipulated and fraudulent electoral process’’.

“We will never work with the candidate they plan to impose on us. We have even locked the varsity’s gate,’’ he said.

“We must restart the process. Prof. Idowu Olayinka, the sitting vice-chancellor, must hand over to an acting vice-chancellor,’’ he stressed.

Five of the six finalists are professors of the University of Ibadan, while one is from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

The six finalists were shortlisted after each of the 18 candidates made 15 minutes presentation before the screening committee comprising the entire Council members of the institution on Tuesday.

Three of the finalists are Prof. Kayode Adebowale, Prof. Olusegun Ademowo and Prof. Ebenezer Farombi.

The other three are Prof. Abideen Aderinto, Prof. Babatunde Salako and Prof. Femi Mimiko from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

The five-man screening panel is headed by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Nde Joshua Waklek.

Other members of the panel are two external representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, Sir Ben Okoronkwo and Dr Uchena Uba.

The two elected representatives of the Senate in the screening committee are Prof. Ezekiel Ayoola and Prof. Peter Olapegba

When contacted, the university’s Director, Public Relations, Mr Tunji Oladejo, told our correspondent that he would not like to comment until the final announcement has been made.

Whoever emerges as the new vice-chancellor is expected to assume office on Dec. 1.

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Escorted by her family, Kimlun Jinakul travelled more than 700 km from the northern province of Phayao to Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, near Bangkok, to receive her bachelor’s degree in human ecology.

“It has always been my dream to continue my studies,” Kimlun told local TV station Thai PBS.

She said that she had finished junior high school but couldn’t continue her education at the time because her family couldn’t finance it.

Kimlun said, “When I was young, I actually received good grades”.

“I have always enjoyed reading. I even bought manuals to educate myself so I could help my children with their homework.”

Kimlun said she became inspired to continue her formal studies in 2011, once her children and grandchildren had received university educations and found decent jobs.

“It’s never too late to study,” she said.

“She is a very determined person,” said Bhum Juasiripakdee, one of Kimlun’s grandchildren.

“We all support her while making sure she remains in good health.”

The university said Kimlun had not received any special treatment in terms of grading.

In fact, she failed half of her courses and had to retake examinations several times.

“The university provided me with a lot of convenience,” Kimlun said.

“They allocated rooms on the ground floor for me so I did not have to climb the stairs.”

The university is the first in Thailand to offer distance learning to elderly people.

Almost 200 people older than 60 have enrolled.

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