Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies, Ekiti State University

History of the Department

The Centre for Gender and Development Studies (CGDS), now the Department of Gender and Development Studies, under the newly created Faculty of Multidisciplinary studies, got the mandate of the Ekiti State University Council (on the 13th of June, 2013) to establish a Centre of Excellence for the interdisciplinary study of Gender and Development Studies focusing on gender issues; inclusive and sustainable development; poverty studies and wealth creation; social development, policy analysis, social work and social problems and development issues. This is in line with the philosophy and mission of Ekiti State University, which is to provide a high quality educational experience shaped by outstanding teaching and research that benefit cultures, societies, national and international economies. It is also akin with the University’s vision to be a 21st Century World-Class University producing graduates adequately equipped to handle contemporary socio-economic and environmental challenges through cutting-edge research in Science, Technology and Humanities, driven by Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The main objective of the Department of Gender and Development Studies is to support the university to design appropriate policies and academic programmes towards sustainable development in particular, improved quality of life for women, men and children; as well as developing relevant social and economic policy guidelines to assist the country in its poverty reduction efforts which are critical for enhancing proper development programmes and policies. Thus, the Department of Gender and Development Studies (DGDS) is committed to building, sustaining and advancing a generation of students grounded in gender and development theories and methods; and researchers (in the various academic fields) whose efforts will contribute to resolving the developmental challenges facing Nigeria.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Gender and Development Studies (DGDS) is to institutionalize gender education; and gender equity/ justice principles within the University system and the larger society through the establishment of gender studies; engendering of academic disciplines; the use of gender as an analytical tool; and treating gender as a cross – cutting issue in both academic and administrative engagements.

OBJECTIVES

As a Department of Excellence for the interdisciplinary study of gender and development issues at the Ekiti State University (EKSU), it has the following objectives:

  1. Equip staff / students, policy makers and professionals with analytical and conceptual skills needed to understand gender issues in both the public and the private sectors thereby, enabling them to participate effectively in gender and development discourse and practice;
  2. Build national capacity on gender mainstreaming and social development planning, and policy analysis, through teaching, training, consultancy, documentation and networking;
  • Promote an inter-disciplinary research and policy analysis for sustainable development;
  1. Promote research into issues of equity and equality associated with gender, class, ethnic and political differentiations;
  2. Mainstream gender into both academic curricula and the administrative system of the University.
  3. Design and develop academic programmes and courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Gender and Development Studies; and Social Work; and work with other departments and faculties in the University to engender their academic courses where applicable;
  • Initiate training programmes for the engendering process in the University and across the State;
  • Maintain a database on gender and development issues for Ekiti State Government in particular and the Nigerian Government in general;
  1. Establish short courses to build technical capacity of policy makers; NGOs; Private sector operators; and other professionals in the area of gender and development;
  2. Build partnerships and networks with government institutions, the private sector and other civil society organizations on issues relating to gender/development issues;
  3. Initiate research fellowships, linkages and students exchanges in specific areas of expertise with national and international partners.
  4. Organise conferences, seminars, workshops, symposia and other relevant activities that will enhance research and development in the areas of women, gender and development studies; and social work enterprise.

THE MISSION STATEMENT

The centre is envisioned to be a Department of Excellence for the interdisciplinary study of gender, social problems, social work issues and sustainable development. The mission of the Department is to promote gender equality, women empowerment and sustainable development through teaching, research policy advocacy, training, educational outreach, and partnerships /networks/ collaborations with Government institutions, the private sector, Civil Society Organizations, Local Communities, and Development Partners.

GENERAL SERVICES AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES

Mainstream gender into the academic and administrative processes of the University through capacity building across Departments and Units; and the establishment of a Gender Management System for the Ekiti State University;

Counselling services for victims/ survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence; and other related social problems.

 

 NON-DEGREE CERTIFICATE COURSES IN GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

  1. Gender and Development (3 Months);
  2. Gender and Health Studies (3 Months);
  • Gender, Human Rights and Access to Justice (3 Months)
  1. Gender, Adolescent Sexuality and Youth Development (3 Months)
  2. Women and Gender Studies (3 Months)

POST GRADUATE PROGRAMMES

Qualified candidates could seek admission into the following under listed Postgraduate Programmes in Gender and Development:

  1. Postgraduate Diploma in Gender and Development Studies
  2. Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work
  3. Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Gender and Development Studies
  4. Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Social Work
  5. Master of Philosophy/Doctor of Philosophy (M.Phil/Ph.D.) in Gender and Development Studies
  6. Master of Philosophy/Doctor of Philosophy (M.Phil/Ph.D.) in Social Work
  7. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Gender and Development Studies
  8. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Social Work

EXECUTIVE/PROFESSIONAL POST GRADUATE PROGRAMMES

  1. Postgraduate Diploma in Gender and Development Studies
  2. Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work
  • Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Gender and Development Studies
  1. Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Social Work

The academic programmes and institutional activities of the Department are executed through tutorials, bench-work for the award of Bachelor and Postgraduate degrees in Gender and Development Studies and Social Work. The management of the Department involves the following organs and administrative structure:

 

The Head of Department and Chairman of Departmental Board.

  1. The Departmental Board consists of the Head of Department as Chairman, one representative from each of the other Departments in the Faculty and all Lecturers of the Department.

The Department also sets up various committees to assist the Head of Department; such as the Academic Staff Review, Non-Teaching Staff Review, Admission Matters, Examination Matters, Research Fund Management, Journal and Handbook Publication, Departmental Week and Seminars and other statutory and special matters.

©2023. DICT, EKSU

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