Nigerian Vice Chancellors have come under massive attack following a viral video capturing the moment the University of Cape Town VC, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, paid a surprise visit to the school library to offer students studying, chocolates and words of encouragement.
According to Mamokgethi, she visited the library at 11pm and offered chocolates to those she met studying while asking them how their studies are going.
In the video, she could be seen moving from desk to desk, surprising the students who were visibly moved by her gesture.
The VC said she was encouraged to find the students hard at work as they prepare for their final exams.
Mamokkgethi who shared the clip on her LinkedIn profile on Tuesday, November 15 wrote;
“I went back to campus study spaces at around 11pm last night to give my students chocolates and words of encouragement as they prepare for their final exams. As usual, I was encouraged to find them hard at work”
“The university journey is not easy, much support and constant motivation is needed to push through! I am a mother before I am VC, so I will be there to give them the motivation they need to soldier on”
Watch video below;
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town going around study centers on the campus at 11pm to give students chocolates and words of encouragement as they prepare for their final exams.🥺 pic.twitter.com/L2eBAzgMac
— Lagos Cubing (@CubingLagos) November 18, 2022
Reacting to the video, social media users via their handles called out Nigerian VC’s asking them to emulate the kind actions of Mamokkgethi.
Many others revealed that they only had the opportunity to see their school VC on the school website.
See reactions:
Most of us only saw our Nigerian VCs on the school website. https://t.co/VQPYawJsx7
— Mr. T.Ceey (@Ceephic) November 19, 2022
Omg this is so sweet, Nigerian VCs can you see your mates? She is encouraging the students and motivating them which is what a leader does https://t.co/qXXlgB7mxr
— ThatPortharcourtBoy aka Nnukwu Nmanwu (@ThatPHCBoy) November 19, 2022
The VC of the University of Cape Town has to be the best & the most friendly VC in the world. The way she relates with her students is motivating.
Here is she going around reading spaces on campus, giving students chocolate&offering them moral support.
Can Nigerian VCs do this? pic.twitter.com/2aws1kABUc— IGBOMINA (@Optimistic_Ade) November 18, 2022
This is so encouraging… Imagine what this will do to their minds? It will fuel their energy to keep pushing.
Imagine if our Nigerian VCs are like this woman or even do half of what she just did? Students will wanna go and stay in school cos someone's actually cares about them. https://t.co/jfQr4W1am4— Dr Kel #AllEyesOnTheJudiciary👪 (@NeckSqueezer) November 18, 2022