UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING AND HUMAN
DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
by
Prof. Frank C. CAREW
Chairman, CHDC

INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the University of Maiduguri. This University is one of the best, peaceful, well located with seasoned national and international staff together with a cosmopolitan student population that draws its strength from within and neighbouring countries. The University Counselling and Human Development Centre was established by Senate on the 2nd November, 2006. This was followed by a directive from the Federal Ministry of Education to establish Career Centres in Federal Universities early 2007. Thus the two proposals have been integrated into the current University Counselling and Human Development Centre.
A synergetic model of career counselling and human development has been established in the University of Maiduguri. Thus the Centre pivots on the principles of co-operation, consultation, co-ordination, integration and continuing education. The envisaged and directed career centre objectives of the Federal Government Ministry of Education dovetails into the University of Maiduguri conceptual model. It is therefore expected that not only career education is carried out in our Centre but holistic approach of meeting the needs of our students should be met if they must properly and productively function in the society after graduation. This approach envisages placement and follow-up services. Such services will involve the alumni and linkage offices.

MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS
To ensure focus and direction that should be in line with the Mission and Vision statements of the University, the Centre has the following Mission and Vision Statements.
Mission
The University Counselling and Human Development Centre seeks to holistically work with students and staff fostering scholarship, learning, creativity and innovation in their various disciples and developing integrated moral, intellectual, emotional, physical, social and psychological characteristics of the individual (person).

Vision
The Centre aims to foster and promote competencies in all and selected disciplines (i.e. Arts, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Human and Veterinary Medicine, Information Technology, Sciences, Technology,). Such graduates entering the labour market should be equipped with creative, innovative and adaptive skills for the world of work.

OBJECTIVES OF CENTRE
Senate approved the listed objectives for the Centre. The society and University are dynamic groups and would therefore need appropriate adjustments to the needs of these groups as and when the needs arise. Thus it would be necessary in the future to address issues that are contemporary while paying less attention to areas of less concern.
The Counselling and Human Development Centre should therefore meet the following objectives:
1. Provide counselling services to students and staff.
2. Liaise with Dean of Students and Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) Co-ordinator in organising career oriented activities.
3. Liaise with the Chief Medical Officer in planning and organising activities for students on health related concerns.
4. Co-ordinate Faculty/Departmental academic guidance activities and Students Guidance and Counselling Unit services.
5. Obtain data on global labour trends on the North East Region and Nigeria and advise students on occupational opportunities.
6. Provide referrals to appropriate bodies for students’ social, economic, psychiatric and other problems.

ACTIVITIES
On the basis of the objectives stated earlier the following activities will be carried out by the Centre.

1. Co-ordination of all counselling and human development programmes in the Centre.
2. Consultation of counselling activities within and outside the University.
3. In-service training of para-Counsellors, Career Advisors and peer Counsellors for academic and hostel residency.
4. Render psychological testing and assessment.
5. Refer staff and students to outside agencies whose problems or needs are outside the scope of the Centre’s expertise.
6. Provide individual and group counselling services for different concerns related to academic, personal-social, behavioural etc.
7. Run special programmes such as Orientation, Career Week, Seminars/ Workshops and Symposia.
8. Provide counselling services to the community and neighbourhood states as when the need arises e.g. trauma, natural disasters and crises.
9. Establishing Parent-Student-Lecturer Forum.
10. Deliver lectures on special events/activities related to Counselling and human development.
11. Assist students to develop the skills of entrepreneurship through creativity and innovation.

MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
The Management structure for the operation of the Centre is presented in the organogram (Figure 1). This establishment is housed under the office of the Vice-Chancellor with a Director appointed by the VC. The presence of Administrative Office and Deputy Director will aid the day to day running of the Centre. The level of Technical Staff will handle activities that relate to Audio-Visual; Library; Computer Programming and Secretarial Services. Testing constitutes a vital aspect of counselling process. The Clinical Psychologist is saddled with this responsibility for diagnosis and assessment of the behavioural problem or the necessary line of action to take. The Career Counsellors may rely on the test results from the Clinical Psychologist. There is a strong link between the Counsellors and Clinical Psychologist in carrying out a successful counselling process. On the basis of obtained information about the student, the Counsellor may need referral to Student Services, Work Study Programme or Scholarships/Fellowships opportunities available. There are times referrals will be made to the Neuropsychiatric Clinics, University Teaching Hospital or University Health Clinic as the need may arise. Supporting staff render routine office errands, security and environmental sanitation in and around the Centre.

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO STUDENTS
Your university career will serve as the most important part of our life. The future rests in your hands. The Counselling Centre is one of the opportunities the University of Maiduguri is offering to you. Take advantage of it and use it. Feel free to contact the current Counsellors whose telephone numbers have been provided at the Centre. Counsellors are here to serve you and serve as inloco parentes. Do you need to talk to a friend on any issue? Then visit the Counselling Centre. These are the tentative Counselling hours:

SCHEDULE FOR COUNSELLORS

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