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National Association Of Academic Technologists (NAAT)

Introduction

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), formerly known as Association of University Technologists of Nigeria (ASUTON), was established as a trade union in 1992. The discovery of many Technologists who had nothing to do with academic programme led to the change of nomenclature from Association of University Technologists of Nigeria (ASUTON) to National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) to accommodate academic based Technologists on 14th November, 2007 at the National level.

National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) Rivers State University (RSU), therefore traces its history or root from ASUTON RSUST and was formed primarily to address the challenges and welfare issues of Technologists working in the University.

Thus, from 1999 to date, the following Technologists have held the position of chairman of NAAT in Rivers State University.

  • Comrade Paulinus A. Amadi                      –      1999 – 2004
  • Comrade Benaiah C. Iyieke                         –     2004 – 2006
  • Comrade Hamilton D. E. lyoyo                   –     2006 – 2010
  • Comrade Benaiah C. Iyieke                          –     2010 – 2012
  • Comrade Anthony A. Luke                           –     2012 – 2016
  • Comrade Stella Ereba                                     –    2016 – 2020
  • Comrade Harmony A. Chimezie-Nwosu     –    2020 – Date

National Association Of Academic Technologists (NAAT)

History Of NAAT

The founding of what became the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has its roots in the inevitable and unavoidable disintegration of the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Allied Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI) one of the 15 senior staff associations created by the Trade Union Amendment Decree No. 22 of August 1978.  It is worthy of note that even the 1981 Cookey Commission Report had noted the complex composition and non-workability of the Union describing it as a motely group with irreconcilable diverse interests. Then all senior Staff of Nigerian Universities dissociated from SSAUTHRIAI to form Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU). Along the line, it was discovered that the body SSANU was concerned with secretarial and administrative issues only with little or no regard to technical matters which affects the Technologists.

The organizational structure of the grouping or assemblage of Technologists in the early attempt to form an association was at best, informal and rudimentary. At this formative stage, the interactions were largely localized and sometimes only extended within the regions particularly the Western region. Formal administrative structure was established with the election of the pro tem executive committee at the meeting held at Ilorin in November 1992 where S.O.M. Olagbegi was elected the pro tem president. One of the immediate tasks of the   pro tem officers was the drafting and adoption of the premiere constitution which birthed the Association of University Technologists of Nigeria (ASUTON) and incorporated an administrative structure that adequately served her purpose at the time. In 1999, ASUTON was inaugurated in the then Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

The discovery of many Technologists who had nothing to do with academic programme led to the change of nomenclature from Association of University Technologists of Nigeria (ASUTON) to National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) to accommodate academic based Technologists only.

NAAT-RSU derived objectives include:

  • To foster mutual cooperation among members.
  • To provide a platform for the improvement and acceptability of Technologists in Rivers State University through collective decisions on matters affecting members.
  • To promote the welfare of members by making representations and recommendations to appropriate authorities.
  • To liaise with others trade unions in the University for the attainment of common goals.

In pursuance of set objectives, NAAT-RSU had over the years established plans for actualization which include, but not limited to the following:

  • Regular attendance and active participation at the National Executive Council and Zonal Executive Council meetings of NAAT.
  • Engaging Management and Council of RSU on issues of welfare and challenges concerning members.
  • Procurement of computers (desktop, laptop and tablets) for members at various times, to upgrade computer proficiency at work.
  • Liaising with other Unions in the University to engage the University Management and Governing Council on issues of workers’ welfare and development of the institution.
  • Engaging members to acquire higher academic qualifications and to attend conferences, seminars and workshops to enhance competences.

Job Descriptions Of Academic Technologists

  • Conducting and teaching practical aspects of courses.
  • Setting and grading practical exams and reports as component of course assessment.
  • Interpreting and guiding students in the use of practical manuals to achieve the aims and objectives of each experiment.
  • Demonstrating the practical application of engineering and other scientific principles.
  • Supervising practical sessions for both undergraduate and postgraduate students using laboratory/workshop/studio facilities.
  • Assisting in research, for both undergraduate and post-graduate level works.
  • Obtaining data, keeping records and performing basic scientific calculations and analysis.
  • Training of students on Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), Student Work Experience Programme (SWEP), Internship, etc.
  • Designing and producing manuals for practical teaching.
  • Invigilation of examinations.
  • Performing duties that promote the advancement and development of modern medicine, science and engineering through research.
  • Participation in academic publication (journals, conference papers, technical papers, etc.).
  • Management of Laboratories, Workshops and Studios.
  • Involvement in procurement of laboratory, workshop and studio equipment.

Committee assignments and others responsibilities as may be assigned by Management, Faculty or Department.

Objectives Of NAAT

NAAT-RSU derives its objective and plans primarily from the NAAT Constitution as stipulated in Rule 3 of the constitution, tagged “Aims and Objectives”. The fundamental aim and objectives of the union (NAAT), are to protect, defend and promote the rights, well-being and interests of the members, and to advance the course of members employed in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions (Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education) generally, through the attainment of specific objectives, some of which include:

    • To organize certified professional Technologists employed in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions.
    • To promote, defend and advance the economic, political and social well-being of Technologists.
    • To engage in collective bargaining with tertiary institutions management and government for the improvement of conditions of service of Technologists.
    • To promote cordial relationship between members and their employers.
    • To foster the welfare, working environment and opportunities of Technologists employed in the services of Nigerian Tertiary Institutions.

Structure Of The Union

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), is composed of the following organs which are vested with the power to pursue its aims and objectives

  • The Delegate Conference
  • That National Executive Council (NEC)
  • The National Executive Committee (National Exco)
  • The Branch Congress
  • The Branch Executive Committee (Branch Exco)

The National Executive Committee (National Exco) is composed of the following

  • President
  • Deputy President
  • Two (2) Vice Presidents (i.e. Vice President I and Vice President II)
  • General Secretary
  • Two (2) Assistant Secretaries (i.e. Assistant Secretary I and Assistant Secretary II)
  • National Treasurer
  • National Financial Secretary
  • National Public Relation Officer
  • Immediate Past President (Ex-officio)

The Branch Executive Committee (Branch Exco) is composed of the following

  • Chairman
  • Vice Chairman
  • Secretary
  • Assistant Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • Financial Secretary
  • Public Relation Officer
  • Immediate Past Chairman (Ex-officio)

Philosophy Of NAAT

Philosophy is the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline.

  • Membership of the Union is open to certified professional Technologists with adequate qualifications (HND, B.Sc, B.Tech, and B.Eng, or their equivalent), whose functions and duties are in academic department and are directly related to academic pursuits and programmes in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions.
  • Membership of the Union shall not be open to self-employed individuals whether or not they are certified professional Technologists.
  • Every member shall uphold and defend the constitution of the Union at all times.
  • Every member shall pay all prescribed fees such as monthly dues, levies or any other contributions as may be recommended by the National Executive Committee and approved by the National Executive Council (NEC).
  • Every member shall allow the deduction of his/her subscriptions, contributions, and other payments to the Unions through the check off systems by the Bursary/Finance Department of the Institution in which he/she is employed.
  • Every member shall participate actively in the affairs of the Union through attendance of meetings or other functions or programmes of the Union in which his/her presence may be required.

Where the activities of any member is detrimental to the interest of the Trade Union Movement or contrary to the declared aims and objectives or principle and policies of the Union, the Union through its National Executive Council shall have the right to probe the activities of such member(s) by summoning such member(s) to appear before it or its appropriate Committee.

Achievements Of NAAT

  • Welfare of members: NAAT RSU in lines with the aims and objectives of the Union annually provide end of year welfare packages for members. The Union also follow up all implementation of approval allowances for her members.
  • Computer Training/Acquisition: The Union leadership under Comrade B.C. Iyeke encouraged members to be computer literate by organizing training and acquisition of Computers for Members. This was consolidated under Comrade Anthony Luke’s administration which acquired Techno Tablets for members.
  • Attainment of CONTISS 14 and 15: NAAT RSU in lines with the objectives of the Unions regularly engages the University Management and Governing Council with a view to maintaining cordial relationship. This relation and understanding led to the attainment of CONTISS 14 and 15 in RSU.
  • Relationship with other Unions: NAAT is in heathy relationship with other unions (ASUU, SSANU and NASU) under the umbrella of JAC..
  • Relationship with Students: By the nature of our job, Technologists maintain cordial/good relationships with students to be able to impact technical knowledge to them which has further created successful acceptance and training of students sent to our various laboratories and workshops for industrial attachment.
  • Educational advancement of Members: NAAT encourages members who came in with first degree to advance themselves academically through post graduate programmes (PGD, M.Sc. & PhD) likewise members registration with their certified professional bodies.

Upcoming Events

  • NAAT RSU is about to lunch a welfare scheme for members.
  • Foundation laying of NAAT Secretariat in RSU.
  • Official inauguration of Nigeria Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) in RSU.
Comrade Harmony A. Chimezie-Nwosu

Profile Of Current Chairman

Harmony Agbonma Chimezie-Nwosu (Nee Onu) was born on the 13th day of October 1972 to the family Late Chief Joseph Onu Echeonwu and Mrs Roseline Walimene Onu of Rumuawhuechor Rumuekini in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. She is currently a Chief Technologists in the Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chairman National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and the Acting Chairman Nigeria Association of Technologist in Engineering (NATE) both in Rivers State University. She is happily married to Barr. Augustine Chimezie-Nwosu and blessed with three Children.

Educational Qualification:

She attended the State School Rumuekini/Rumuosi for primary, International Secondary School, RSUST and the famous University of Jos where she obtained her first Degree in Chemistry. Shifting over to the field of Engineering, she obtained a PGD in Chemical/Petrochemical Engineering and M.Tech. in Chemical Engineering. To show certified competence at work place, she also obtained a B.Tech. in Petroleum Engineering all from the Rivers State University. She is currently undergoing PhD studies in Chemical Engineering.

Prospects

  • NAAT is looking forward to getting a befitting Union Secretariat in Rivers State University.
  • NAAT is hoping to have a Union bus to enhance Union activities.