General Studies

Dr. Otuya Sunday hails from Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.  At the completion of his primary and secondary education, Dr. Otuya started histertiary education at Delta State University, Abraka, where he earned a Bachelor Degree B.Sc. (Hons.) in Accounting. He further aspired for a higher degree in Accounting at the University of Benin, Benin City where he bagged a Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Accounting. In a bid to professionalize, he went for and concluded a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Degree in Accounting with specialization in Corporate Financial Reporting from the University of Benin, Benin City.  Heis qualified and has been inducted as a Chartered Accountant (ACA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) having passed all prescribed professional examinations at one sitting in 2012.

Dr. Otuya has both industry and academic professional experience. As an industry practitioner, he had served as an Engagement Audit Partner with Isaac Owueka & Company (a firm of Chartered Accountants). He joined the services of Michael and Cecilia Ibru Univerisy, Agbarha-Otorin 2015 as a Lecturer. He later joined Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo where he teaches courses in Accounting, Information System &Technology, and Research Methodology to undergraduate students. He has held several administrative offices and member of various committees at Department, Faculty and the University level at both Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Agbara-Otor, and Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo.

Dr. Otuya’s special interest is in the Computerised Accounting, Corporate Financial Reporting and Research Methodology. He has published various articles in reputable national and international journals all available in Google Scholars Citation with hundreds of citations.

He is the current Coordinator, General Studies Department, Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo.

OVERVIEW OF THE GENERAL STUDIES UNIT

The General Studies Unit (GST) is an academic support unit at Edwin Clark University that provides sustenance to the existing Departments and Faculties of the University. The GST Unit started along with other programmes in September, 2015 in the 2015/2016 academic session. Courses taught by the GST Unit at Edwin Clark University are taken by all students of the University in first, second and third years of the University programmes. The courses are logically designed to improve the basic intellectual and communication skills of the students and form a formidable base for other courses. They are also designed to promote a continuous awareness and understanding of contemporary society as well as historical and cultural origins of the peoples of Nigeria.

As a resource centre for teaching of key courses that are core requirements for all students from 100 level to 300 level, the GST Unit has evolved since its inception to handle foundational courses in Communication in English, Use of Library and ICT Skills, Logic Philosophy and Human Existence, Nigeria Peoples and Culture, Peace and Conflict, and Introduction to Computer Applications. The Unit has also been instrumental to handling the Entrepreneurship Development programme for the entire students of the University. In addition, the GST Division is critically involved in research and community services and collaborations with Departments and Faculties in teaching of IT and Entrepreneurial Development courses.

GOAL OF THE GST UNIT

The primary goal of the General Studies Unit of Edwin Clark University is to produce a well-rounded, morally, and intellectually capable graduates with vision and entrepreneurial skills to seek to employ rather than seeking employment in a globalized world of today.

VISION STATEMENT

The Vision of the General Studies Unit at Edwin Clark University is to make the University rank among the best in Nigeria and beyond. This will be achieved through the provision of adequate teaching and learning facilities, innovative and inspiring learning environment, development of entrepreneurial spirit, creative flair, professional skills and breadth of knowledge.

MANPOWER

The GST Unit is staffed by qualified and experienced academic and non-academic staff. The Unit has 12 academic and 2 non-academic staff members. Despite the large number of students that take courses, the Unit has made its civic obligation to give a dutiful attention to students’ lectures, examinations and overall academic performance.

AVAILABLE COURSE STRUCTURE OF THE GST UNIT

The General Studies Unit basically offers core and compulsory courses as approved by the University Senate. Students must pass these GST courses before they can graduate from the University. The following courses are handled by the GST Unit:

SN	Course Code	Course Title	Credit Unit	Level	Semester
1	GST 101	Communication in English I	2	100	First
2	GST 102	Use of Library and ICT Skills	2	100	First
3	GST 103	Logic, Philosophy and Human Existence	2	100	First
4	GST 111	Communication in English II	2	100	Second
5	GST 112	History and Philosophy of Science	2	100	Second
6	GST 113	Nigeria’s People and Culture	2	100	Second
7	GST 114	Introduction to Computer Science	2	100	Second
8	GST 201	Environment and Sustainable Development	2	200	First
9	GST 202	Leadership Skills	2	200	First
10	GST 211	Introduction to Entrepreneurship	2	200	Second
11	GST 212	Peace and Conflict Resolution	2	200	Second
12	GST 301	Entrepreneurship Development Programme	2	300	First