From Undergraduate to PhD in a Decade! Mustapha Auwalu’s Journey Through ASUU Strikes and a Pandemic
Emerging from a humble background, Mustapha Auwalu’s hard work, perseverance, determination, and grit, made him an exceptional and exemplary person among his peers. His seriousness and dedication to every endeavor is something worthy of emulation. He is immune to distractions. Get ready to delve into the inspiring narrative of a goal-oriented and focused individual whose story is nothing short of an academic marvel.
Name: Mustapha Auwalu
Family and Educational Background
I was born three decades ago at Kurnar Asabe, Dala Local Government, Kano State. Attended Tudun Fulani Special Primary School, and then Army Day Boys Secondary School, Bukavu Barracks, Federal College of Education, Kano, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and finally Bayero University, Kano.
What motivated you to pursue your Ph.D. after your Masters?
My motivation came from my supervisor during the master’s Programme, whose knowledge I benefitted immensely from. I am forever grateful to Prof. Salisu Shehu, for his support and guidance Whenever I met him for discussions on my dissertation, he always encouraged me to proceed with my Ph.D. immediately after my master’s. I came to regard him as a mentor, always aspiring to emulate him and step in his shoes.
What is the title of your Ph.D. thesis?
The title of my thesis is “Influence of Moral Reasoning, Prosocial Behaviour, Religiosity and Emotional Intelligence on Academic Achievement of Senior Secondary School Students in Kano State, Nigeria”.
How did you come about the title?
As of 2018/2019, Prof. Salisu Shehu invited me to serve as a General Research Assistant in a research organized by the International Institute of Islamic Thought Headquarters in fourteen countries including Nigeria titled “Advancing Education in Muslim Societies”. Before the actual process of data collection, the coronavirus came to Nigeria and the research was indefinitely suspended in the country. It was in that regard, that I took it as a challenge upon myself to select four variables out of the eight variables of the AEMS research and conduct my Ph.D thesis. Consultation and thorough examination of literature and universal Qur’anic values led to the selection of moral reasoning, prosocial behavior, religiosity, and emotional intelligence. This is because these values resonate with Muslims and non-Muslims alike and are central to human development and well-being. That is how I came about the title.
What is the intellectual gap you think you have filled?
The study was conducted to address the gaps in knowledge on values-based education that influence the part of human development and states of consciousness in Muslim Societies. The result of the study is available for the use of policymakers, researchers, and other education change agents.
What are the main findings of the study?
The empirical findings show that academic achievement differs between students with high and low levels of moral reasoning, prosocial behavior, religiosity, and emotional intelligence. Students with a high level of moral reasoning, prosocial behavior, religiosity, and emotional intelligence have higher academic achievement than their counterparts with low levels. Based on the findings of this study, I hereby recommend that variation of moral reasoning, prosocial behavior, religiosity, and emotional intelligence should be taken into consideration during teaching and learning as it creates differences in academic achievement.
What is the major challenge you have encountered in the process of the research?
Hmmm, research will never be conducted without challenges, but a researcher must be ready to confront the challenges. Many researchers always complain about the attitude of their supervisors, but for me, it is a different case! My supervisor has always been available for advice and guidance. He had also been generous to furnish me with materials that had significantly enriched my thesis. To be frank, I cannot tell you the major challenge I faced during my Ph.D., but second, to the first was financial paucity.
What attitudes do you consider and believe are essential for success in both academia and the professional world?
Prayer, honesty, perseverance, commitment, and hard work.
Can you tell us some of your publications that can highlight your contributions to the field of your specialization?
Yes, I have several publications in reputable journals. I am also a co-author of a book titled Fundamentals of Human Learning for NCE and Undergraduate Students.
What is your advice to PhD students?
They should always seek Allah’s interventions, eschew laziness and lethargy, read a lot of papers, attend conferences and seminars, daily attend to their work for at least five hours, have enough time to discuss with supervisors, and also be patient enough to accommodate all the challenges that arise in the process.
What are your concluding remarks?
Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, I thank Allah SWT for the journey so far. I also thank my parents, teachers both at ordinary and tertiary levels for feeding me with an intellectual diet and by the grace of Allah bringing me to where I am now. Without prejudice, I have singled out some of them, the top of whom are Professor Salisu Shehu, Dr. Saidu Ahmad Dukawa, Professor AbdulRashid Garba, Dr. Ahmad M. Garba, and Dr. Isa Ado Abubakar among others. May Allah increase them in knowledge, wisdom, health, and wealth. Aamin.
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