As a way of distinguishing pharmacy students and preparing them for the professional years ahead of them, the management of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan (UI), has introduced a formal dress code for its students.
Announcing the news at a recent function, Prof. Chinedum Babalola, dean of the faculty said that the move was imperative as one’s dress sense has a way of affecting one’s image, conduct, professionalism, as well as acceptance by others.
She disclosed that the idea of a dress code came to her while she was serving as sub-dean undergraduate between 1999 and 2002.
“When I took over as dean in August 2013, the need for a dress code resurfaced after seeing various reasons for it and I made it one of my core objectives as a dean. One of the basic etiquettes associated with professionalism is appropriate appearance.
“Again, the dressing of our students had reached a stage where visitors to the faculty were either embarrassed or confused as to who our pharmacy students were,” she remarked.
Speaking further, the dean noted that she knew right there and then that it was the right time to act. Consequently, the faculty set up an inclusive committee in April 2014 (comprising teaching staff, non-teaching staff, students and representatives of religious bodies) and headed by a past sub-dean, Dr Adenike Okunlola.
Babalola said that the committee worked tirelessly for over one year, interacted with many stakeholders and produced a recommendation that was well discussed, modified and adopted by the faculty board the following year.
The dress code was officially commissioned and presented to the student body during the faculty’s maiden White Coat/Orientation Ceremony in April 2015.
On the reaction of the students and the impact so far, Babalola said, “I must confess that since implementation of the dress code, our students now look more professional, presentable, confident and recognisable. A number of visitors have also commended the effort. I therefore seize this medium to appeal to students to always adhere to this code and the staff to encourage the students. Remember our professional slogan ‘As men of honour, we join hands,’” she said.
To further motivate the students towards compliance, Babalola announced that an annual award would be instituted by the faculty in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS) for the best dressed male and female B.Pharm students for each session
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