One of the lofty innovations of the University administration is the student work-study programme. The programme enables students to work and earn legitimate money even as they study. The programme is designed to provide short term employment for extra income to the indigent and financially challenged students in course of their study in the University. Selected interested students are posted within and outside the University to render service on a part time basis. With the harsh economic situation in the country today and its adverse impact on students particularly, this scheme comes at a most appropriate time, and for some students, it constitutes a life-saving measure.

The main objective of the students support services programme is to provide bona fide students of the University of Benin with the tools for academic success through practical experience in work study as well as the provision of departmental and faculty prizes for best graduating students (See pages 19 – 35 of the student hand book). The work study programme enables students to work and earn legitimate money even as they study and it is managed by the Work Study Unit.

The policy enables registered students for the work study programme to be posted to any faculty, department, section or unit of the University for a period of time. The University of Benin is dedicated to guide and support students to becoming “the next generation of success story” Our staff are available to work with the student on work study on a one–on–one or group basis depending on the type of job schedule. The University of Benin provides a diverse program of academic support combined with personal and career exploration that will maximize the potential of students and the chances for persistence job opportunities after graduation.

The benefits of the programme are numerous, but suffice it to mention but a few.

1. It allows students to be gainfully engaged and appreciate better the dignity of labour.
2. It affords student member to channel youthful energy into positive use.
3. It prepares students for the work environment which they eventually graduate into.
4. A gainfully employed student will have no time for mischief and is ultimately a productive member of his community.
5. Gaining of work experience
6. Provision of financial assistance
7. Discovering of potential talents and abilities

The main features of the programme are:

• Students on the programme can work a maximum of three hours a day for a maximum of 9 hours for three days a week.
• The minimum pay is N8,000 per month.
• Hours of work are flexible and convenient

Work is available as: Research Assistants, Library Assistants, Porters, Cleaners, Landscaping Attendants, Security, Cleaners, Laboratory Assistants, Clinic receptionists, Pre Clinic Lab demonstrators, Optical Dispensing attendants, Optical workshop attendants, Pond attendants, Demonstrators, Grounds men, Museum attendants, Data clerks and Teaching assistants.

To participate in the Student Work/Study Programme contact the Student Affairs Division.

The Student Affairs Division also assists bona fide students with their travel arrangements.

Method of Application

Interested bona fide students at 200 Level upwards can apply by filling a form through their respective Heads of Department.  They can also pick up forms from Work Study Centre and get them endorsed by their respective Heads of Department. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview. Qualified students will be posted and paid accordingly after service is rendered.

Persons with disabilities as per the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments and/or chronic conditions which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

The University of Benin as a policy does not discriminate against physically challenged students and frowns at any perceived action from staff and students against physically challenged persons and/or bona fide students of the University. The University Management knows that the University environment can sometimes present challenges for students with disability, so members of the University community work together with such student to overcome any barriers, and will attempt to support students with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations. The University is committed to ensuring the effective attraction, participation and contribution of students with disabilities throughout the learning experience.

The University will strive to promote and provide equal opportunity of rights to education for all suitably qualified students and prospective students with disabilities. The University does not discriminate against any student or prospective student with a disability within the University of Benin learning environment; and provide current and prospective students with disabilities with the opportunity to realise their individual capabilities for physical, social, emotional and academic development. The Policy applies to all Faculties and Departments of the Universities.

The two campuses of the University (Ugbowo and Ekehuan Campuses) have Halls of Residence/Hostels for students which are given following certain terms and conditions (See student information hand book). The Halls of Residence/Hostels are the Centre for community life and students are expected to contribute a quota to make it a happy home by rendering a voluntary service. Each student is required to exercise the greatest discretion and self-discipline in relation to other students, Hall Authorities and Staff as well as the general public.

The objective of the Student Accommodation Policy is to:

• Set guidelines and regulations for premises that is used for student accommodation;
• Provide for management strategies for all premises used for student accommodation; and
• Provide an environment that will assist each student in developing his or her academic and social potentials to the fullest.

Therefore, the Halls of Residence are considered to be an integral part of the total educational enterprise at the University of Benin. Only bona fide registered students of the University are allowed to live in Halls of Residence. Accommodation in Halls of Residence is a privilege and not a right. Students who live in University Halls of Residence must therefore abide by the rules and regulations appertaining thereto.

Allocation of accommodation to all categories of students is on the basis of registered and cleared students for the academic session. Students not listed above are to make their own off-campus accommodation arrangements without involving the University in any financial obligation with their landlords. It must be emphasized that admission to the University of Benin does not automatically guarantee a student a place in the Halls of Residence of the University. Students for whom hall accommodation is provided are required to share rooms. They are also required to complete and sign appropriate undertaking. ‘Squatters’ and illegal lodgers in Halls of Residence are prohibited.

The University wishes to advise all students and parents/guardians to ensure that they make proper arrangements for accommodation before the session begins.

Hostels/Hall/University gates are closed between 12 midnight and 6.00a.m. each day, including Saturdays and Sundays. All Students must be in residence before the gates are shut. Any extension of these hours shall be at the approval of the Dean of Students.

No Student may be away from Hall at night without an exeat. Exit forms must be completed in duplicate and one copy left with the Hall Master/Mistress. Students who have to stay beyond the period specified in the Exeat must notify the Hall Master in writing, stating reasons, through the Hall Warden.

The University does not provide accommodation for married students.

Halls of Residence/Hostel Regulations

• Only bonafide (registered) students of the University are allowed to live in the halls of residence.
• Accommodation in the halls of residence is a privilege and not a right.
• Allocation of accommodation is NOT TRANSFERABLE from one student to another.
• Squatting of anybody overnight is illegal; offenders will forfeit their accommodation.
• Sale of any allocated accommodation in the halls of residence is PROHIBITED.
• Students must not bring into students rooms heavy electrical gadgets; cookers, washing machines, drivers, toasters, grills, immersion heaters, refrigerators, televisions, hot plates etc. Cooking is prohibited in the Hostels.
• Any student who is found guilty of disturbing the peace of the hall through noise making shall be requested to withdraw from the hall.
• Fighting is not allowed. Students who engage in fighting shall forfeit accommodation and face appropriate disciplinary measures.
• Students are advised to join only registered Clubs/Association in the University.
• Both old and new students should note that all nocturnal clubs such as Neo-Black Movement, Eiye, Maphite, Buccaneer, Female Amazon, Jezebel, Black Bra and other clubs of their likes are BANNED, SEVERE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AWAITS MEMBERS.
• It is mandatory for students to clean their rooms and hostel surroundings.
• Students are required to return their keys and other University property at the close of semester/session.
• The authority is aware of constant power outage from the National Electric Power Authority. However, efforts will be made to ensure that the University main plant is switched on from 7p.m – midnight. The use of candles light is highly PROHIBITED.
• Defacing of walls will attract repainting/repair of same, losing your bed space and facing severe disciplinary measures.

The University of Benin operates a monitoring system throughout the academic year to identify students who may be experiencing difficulties with their studies and to ensure that students remain on track for their programmes. The University does not interfere into the privacy of its staff and students. Academic freedom must be done within the laws governing the University, Staff and Students. The policy on monitoring is to ensure that the privacy of students is appropriately protected and to protect the interests of staff engaged in monitoring who may discover activities amounting to misconduct so serious that they cannot reasonably be expected to ignore it. All academic programmes of study have monitoring arrangements in place to ensure that the activities of students are within the laws and regulations put in place.

The purpose of the academic monitoring policy is to ensure that students are successful in their course of studies. The students have the responsibility of committing themselves absolutely to their studies; monitoring their performance in their studies; and using all the available University resources like the academic counselling unit. Students are also monitored to successfully complete their studies in record time and not exceeding the maximum time allowed. The objectives of the University monitoring policy of students are to:

• Enable the prompt identification of students whose attendance record or previous results suggest that they may be at risk of further performing poorly or outright failing to progress so that follow-up measures can be put in place to enable them do better.
• Ensure that local and International students are treated fairly and consistently
• Enable reporting of ‘presumed withdrawn’ students to their sponsor(s) as required by individual sponsorship agreements.

The University has a zero tolerance to examination malpractice and shall strictly monitor all examinations with lay down rules (see student hand book: Regulations Governing Conduct of Examinations, page 81).