The Nation Newspaper

Tag: varsity

  • Tight security as Nasarawa varsity holds entrance test

    The Nasarawa State University in Keffi (NSUK) throbbed with activities when thousands of applicants thronged the institution to write the 2014/2015 post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    The exercise, held on Thursday and Friday amid tight security, began at 8am with the screening of candidates at the various designated faculties. On the first day, the test was held for candidates who chose Arts, Social Science, Law and Education courses. Those, who applied for Administration, Natural and Applied Sciences, and Agricultural disciplines wrote their test the next day.

    Aminu Zubairu Kana, one of the supervisors, said of the 1,500 applicants that chose the Faculty of Arts, more than 500 applied to study Mass Communication, while the remaining candidates went for other disciplines in the Arts faculty such as English, Linguistics, Religious Studies, Theatre and Cultural Studies, Arabic, History and French.

    He said departments of Theatre and Cultural Studies and English also had large numbers of applicants.

    Responding to questions, the Senior Administrative Officer at the Faculty of Arts, Khalid Haruna, said: “The post-UTME is one of the best ever held in the university; we had a hitch-free exercise, unlike in the previous years where candidates who registered and sat for the examination came to the venues without the required documents.

    “There were also sufficient supervisors during the examination. On this note, the commendation for this success goes to the Dean of Arts and both academic and non-academic staff.”

    Security was beefed up while the exercise was being held.

    Umar Ahmad, an applicant, who wanted to study Geography, praised the management for a “well-organised” exercise despite the large number of applicants that came to the campus. “There were no cases of examination malpractice,” he said.

  • CU is best private varsity

    When he assumed office barely two years ago, the Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Prof Charles Korede Ayo, was given a mandate by the chancellor, Bishop David Oyedepo, to make the institution one of the top 10 institutions in the world.

    This sounded impossible but with the institution ranked the best private university in the July/August  2014 Webometrics Ranking of Nigerian universities, the goal becomes within reach.

    According to Webometrics, CU ranks 25th in Africa and 2075th in the world.  But Ayo promises that it would not be long before it is ranked the best university in Nigeria, after which it will take the fight to the international scene.

    “By next year, we hope to unseat Obafemi Awolowo University, then we will focus on international universities. With the mandate given to me, I still have a long way to go, so I have time to get the university to the top 10 best universities in the world,” he said in an interview with The Nation last Thursday.

    The university is ambitious and hopes to achieve the feat that has taken world class universities 200 years in 10 years.

    “In the 19th century, the University of Chicago was able to make the world-class university in 20 years, so we can do it. It takes a lot but if the proprietorship can come up with the mandate then they are ready to support us financially. Moreover, the age of Methuselah is inconsequential to the wisdom of Solomon,” he added.

    According to him, the university management is not surprised about the feat because several years back, CU started winning the best-ICT driven university in Africa and Nigeria award consistently for many years.

    “I am sure it will not take some of our contemporaries by surprise looking at our antecedents.  We are a university focused on attaining a feat,” he said.

    Asked what the university’s secret is, Ayo said it is spirituality and absolute dependence on God, a focused workforce, and committed leadership. He added that the school management reviews its strategies before each academic session.

    “We gather at the African Leadership Development Centre (ALDC) where we compare notes – review our strategies – looking at where we have done well and where we need to improve. Another strategy is that during our summer school, we have our collaborators and partners from all over the world who come to teach our students. All these are to pursue the mandate and vision of being a world class university,” he said.

    Providing funds to achieve its aim is not a problem for CU. If the university has to spend more to get the best quality hands, the VC said it does.  This, he explained, informed why CU invited two Nobel Laureates, Prof Thomas Sergent of New York University and Prof Eric Maskin of Harvard University to its international conference.

    “For two people to fly first class, speak for less than one hour and collect $85,000 is pretty expensive. Here the proprietor base is committed to funding research. Once you can conceive the idea and there is logic in it, bring the idea forward and it will be funded. For us to attain the feat, we need quality to come here so that we are able to rewrite the history of Nigerian education,” he noted.

    To achieve its aim in research and quality teaching, Ayo said the university has 50 professors, 188 PhD holders, 21 associate professors and are still advertising in both local and international dailies for more.

    The students are not left out of the CU dream. “We hold meetings with the entire student body where we open up to them. We tell them to come to us if they have any suggestions that can assist the university to develop or any research breakthrough that can be useful to the university,” he said.

     

  • Exam threatened as strike looms in Kogi varsity

    THE Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) at the Kogi State University (KSU) in Ayingba has threatened to go on strike if its members allowances are not paid.

    The NASU chairman, Comrade Yusuf Audu, in an interview with CAMPUSLIFE, said the management and Governing Council wre lax about the demands despite a 2009 agreement.

    The planned action would be total, Audu said, because that the management is not ready to implement the agreement.

    Highlighting some of the demands, he said the management failed to pay 11 months arrears of staff minimum wage. Despite the cries by staff, he said, the school has not placed the non-teaching workers on pension till date. Audu said the planned strike would compel the management to address the issues permanently.

    Calling on the government to wade into the crisis, Audu said members had exercised patience enough, adding that many things were considered before resolving to go on strike.

    His words: “Unionism is about staff welfare and that is what we are fighting for. What we are asking management and government is what is contained in our 2009 agreement. They have refused to pay our hazard and responsibility allowances.”

    He said while other universities were already paying the allowances, KSU refused. The union said despite the support giving to it by the national body, it refused to go on strike because the institution is state-owned. Audu said members had been terrified beyond patience.

    He described the body as peace-loving, which always sought alternative way of resolving issues rather than resorting to industrial action.

    Reacting, president of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), John Idachaba, urged the union to dialogue with the management.

    He said there was no basis for confrontation between the two parties, adding that the students’ union would make move to reach out to the parties involved to find a way of resolving the matter.

  • Respite for Sokoto varsity students

    Bridges linking the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) to town have been rehabilitated, bringing relief to students. The structure has since been re-opened, report IBRAHIM JATTO (Zoology) and HALIMAH AKANBI (300-Level Law). 

    There is a light at the end of the tunnel. The truth in this aphorism is captured in the rehabilitation of bridges linking the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) to town. Before their repair, staff, students and members of their host community virtually went through hell getting to town. Now, they are full of smiles, with the rehabilitation of the bridges.

    The structures were washed away in September 2010, following a flood that destroyed properties in the state and some parts of Kebbi State. The incident disrupted academic and commercial activities and the Federal Government promised to rebuild the bridges over River Rima.

    Before the construction, the government provided a military-type floating bridge as a palliative, while the eroded portions of the bridges were sandfilled by the state in January 2011. Students and residents of the communities whenever it rained.

    The contractor that handled the project moved to the site last November, several months after the project was approved. This led to the closure of the road, which caused hardship to students and motorists. The alternative Sokoto-Illela route takes 30 minutes to the university from Dandima Bus Stop in the town; this naturally made commercial cab operators to increase the transport fare to the school.

    Relief came the way of students as well as residents of the host communities when the concrete bridges were completed, reconnecting the university back to the Sokoto metropolis. The bridges were opened last month.

    Transport fares for commercial buses and cabs, increased during the period of rehabilitation, were immediately slashed, a development that lifted the mood of students.

    The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr A.A. Aliero, said the development would rejig activities on the campus. He added that the management would complement the government’s efforts by rehabilitating the stretch from the university’s first gate to the Abdullahi Fodiyo Library Junction to make movement easy.

    A resident of Kwalkwalawa Village, close to the university, Mallam Ilya, a fish seller, said commercial activities were paralysed in the community while the construction was going on.

    “The construction dealt a big blow on our fishing business, because motorists were following a different route. The only customers we had were small-scale fish sellers, who take their goods to the other side to sell,” he said.

    Some students, who also spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, expressed delight over the bridges. Tole Adewumi, a 400-Level Political Science student, said: “It is a big relief to all of us. I give kudos to the government and the contractor.”

    Fatimah Baba Muhammed, a 300-Level Law student, said students could now save more money rather than paying exorbitant fare to commercial bus drivers. “Also, the rate of accident on the alternative route will be greatly reduced because the pressure on the road will be minimal,” she added.

    Hammed Lukman, a 400-Level Law student and caretaker chairman of the Association of Campus Journalists (ACJ) hoped the construction met the standard and would stand the test of time. He said: “I will advise that students and other road users should imbibe good culture of maintenance in order to ensure proper safety of lives and avert future disaster.”

    Immediately the bridges were open for road users, the commercial bus operators reduced the fare to N60. The reduction did not go down with students, who wondered why the drivers did not revert to “normal fare” of N30 before flood washed away the bridges.

    The chairman, Caretaker Committee of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Al-Amin Wushishi, said the committee members had met with the chairman of Bus Service Management Committee (BSMC) and Dr Aliero, who, he said, assured that the matter would be looked into. “We hope they see to the plight of students as regards transportation challenges on campus,” Al-Amin said.

    When contacted, BSMC chairman, Dr S.D. Abubakar, said management took the decision to fix the fare at N60, urging the students to direct grievances to the “right quarters”.

    Dr Aliero, in a telephone interview, said: “This issue was brought to my notice. When I tabled the matter before the stakeholders, I was made to understand that the current fare is to the detriment of the bus operators, which made the management to intervene by subsidising the fuel. We do this to attend to the welfare of our students.”

  • Sokoto varsity admits pioneer set

    Sokoto varsity admits pioneer set

    No fewer than 783 students admitted for the 2013/2014 academic session by the Sokoto State University, Sokoto took part in its maiden matriculation last Saturday.

    Speaking at the ceremony that attracted dignitaries, Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Nuhu Yaqub, said the students were admitted out of the 800 approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    He praised Governor Aliyu Wamakko for his dogged commitment to establishing the university and for providing enormous funding that has been invested in infrastructure for the smooth conduct of academic and intellectual activities.

    He promised that the management of the institution would continue to live above board, and would not condone indiscipline from workers and students.

    Wamakko said the university was established to provide the badly-needed educational opportunities to the teeming qualified candidates in the state and other parts of Nigeria.

    “The essence of establishing the university was devoid of politics but the educational development of the state and Nigeria in general.  Sokoto has been a centre of learning since several centuries ago and learning has been a significant part of the culture of the people.

    “Opportunities knock but once and the university is about the future of the state, Nigeria and the entire globe,” Wamakko, said.

    He added that the world had become a global village, and any state or country that neglects the education sector would lag behind.

    The governor further promised to sustain the huge level of funding and provision of structures, facilities and other needs of the university.

    Also, Pro-Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, praised the educational enthusiasm of Governor Wamakko for taking a giant step to come up with a university of world standard, describing the commitment as “taking the bull by the horns to establish the institution.”

    The former National Security Organisation (NSO) boss challenged the university to strive to help towards the needs of the immediate environment.

    “Other wealthy individuals in the state and other parts of Nigeria should complement the efforts of the state government by endowing chairs, as well as donating facilities to the university.

    “We will, however, ensure that the university operates in line with existing global standards to make it truly world-class,” he promised.

    The Special Adviser, Higher Education to Wamakko, Prof Gajam Ardo also promised that the university’s workers and students will not betray the confidence reposed in them by Wamakko and the people of the state.

    Also in attendance, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and the Emir of Gwandu  in Kebbi state, Alhaji Iliyasu Bashar.

  • Landmark varsity’s first convocation

    Landmark varsity’s first convocation

    Management of Landmark University in Omu-Aran, Kwara State has held its maiden convocation ceremony with the theme: The release of pathfinders.

    The occasion was graced by dignitaries across the country, including representatives of Kwara State Governor Abdulafatah Ahmed, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, Minister of Education; Dr Akinwumi  Adesina, Minister of Agriculture; Ambassador Uriel Palti, Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Prof Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC); Chancellor, Dr David Oyedepo and his  wife Pastor Faith Oyedepo, Vice-Chancellors of various universities across the country and traditional rulers.

    The university produced 39 students with First Class Honours, 186 Second Class  Upper Division, 152 Second Class Lower Division and nine Third Class Honours, among others.

    Dr Oyedepo urged the graduating students to guard against abuse of time, energy and waste  of  resources. “There are no classmates in life, but rather there are only classmates in school”, he added.

    The keynote speaker, Akinwumi, praised the university for their effort towards agricultural revolution, saying the university was the first privat university of agriculture in Nigeria.

    The best graduating student, Hermans Roselyn from Accounting department with CGPA of 4.90, said: “Despite the strict rules and regulations of the university, I worked tirelessly to attain this enviable height”. She advised her fellow graduands to be of good behaviour anywhere they found themselves.

  • Kaduna varsity begins post-graduate programmes

    Management of the Kaduna State University (KASU) will begin post-graduate and Master’s degree programmes (MSc) in the 2014/ 2015 academic year.

    KASU’s Vice-Chancellor Prof Barnabas Williams Quirix said the introduction of the programmes followed their approval by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    “Ten years after the establishment of this university, we are pleased to let you know that NUC has approved 44 out of the 52 courses that we applied for as Post Graduate Programmes,” the Vice Chancellor said.

    Quirix said they were commencing lectures in the 2014/2015 academic year with MSc in Procurement Supply in Management, Criminal Justice, Crime Management and Security Studies, Environmental Biology, Renewable Energy, Geographic Information System and PGD in Investigative and Sport Journalism.

    The VC disclosed that as part of their research interest, the university was embarking on a research on ginger adding, “Ginger is a natural resource and we are embarking on an extensive research of the product. Some people are coming to our university on sabbatical for this purpose.”

    Quirix thanked the Kaduna State Government for their support that led to the approval of the programmes, adding, “We will run both academic and non-academic programmes.”

  • Kwara varsity urges focus on tourism

    Kwara varsity urges focus on tourism

    The Kwara State University (KWASU) has challenged the state and local governments in the state to partner with it to develop the state tourism potentials.

    KWASU is developing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Cape Peninsula and Assumption Universities in tourism development, Vice Chancellor, Prof Abdulrasheed Na’Allah said.

    Prof Na’Allah was speaking to  reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, while unveiling the institution’s newly established School of Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management (STHEM).

    He said STHEM will explore the business potentials in the fields of tourism and managements of events.

    Said he: “Thailand is one of the most successful tourism developed nations in the world. It has nothing than agriculture and tourism, yet it is comparable to any developed nation of the world.

    “Cape Town area has also developed tourism in a big way. KWASU is therefore developing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cape Peninsular and Assumption Universities in South Africa and Thailand. Right now, two of our members of staff are doing their doctoral programmes at Assumption University, Thailand.

    “Nigeria is endowed with a lot of tourism and cultural attractions yet we don’t have our universities vigorously pursuing courses in this line. The Kwara State University is set to pursue the sector and develop appropriately.

    “Right now I am throwing this challenge opens to every local government, Kwara state ministry of tourism to come and collaborate with KWASU school of tourism, hospitality and event management. We must begin to place tourism at the place it belongs. We want to place Esie, Museum, Patigi and Owu falls in front burner. I want chairmen of local governments to create tourism units in their respective councils; so that we can attract people from all over the world to the state.

    The new school which would offer relevant courses and programmes in tourism would train and prepare students for business opportunities in the fields “to gain extensive knowledge in the fundamentals of business administration applicable to global service sector”.

    He said when tourism especially is fully explored, the era of people roaming the streets in search of jobs “should end forever”, adding that stakeholders in the fields of tourism, hospitality and event management should begin to standardise the businesses.

    According to him, opportunities in the three fields are so wide especially given the huge amount of money people spend on events. He said the university would collaborate with the community and governments at all levels to explore all the tourist attractions Nigeria is endowed with.

    He added that: “So our goal is develop excellence in pedagogue, business and research in tourism, hospitality and event management.

    “Built on the curricula cornerstones of resort management, environmental tourism, events management, and cultural and heritage tourism, courses will equip students with knowledge, skills and experience in managing the tourism, hospitality or event for the benefit of the traveller, the host, the event participant and the supporting industry.”

  • IITA donates equipment to varsity

    The International Institute  of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)-managed project Sustainable Weed Management Technologies for Cassava Systems in Nigeria has donated some equipment to the University of Agriculture, Makurdi to help tackle the menace of weeds in cassava farms.

    Among the equipment that were handed over to the university were a Toyota Hilux vehicle, office equipment, a motorcycle, and 20 sprayers.

    Principal Investigator to the IITA Cassava Weed Management Project, Prof Friday Ekeleme, described the equipment as necessary tools that would facilitate the research on weeds in cassava and called on the university to carefully use and maintain them.

    He said IITA was glad to have the university as a partner in the project, urging it to redouble its efforts towards ensuring that the problem of weeds in cassava is solved.

    Responding, Dr Moses Egbe of the University of Agriculture Makurdi pledged the commitment of the institution in ensuring the judicious use of the equipment  to achieve the project objectives.

    The University of Agriculture Makurdi is the third beneficiary of assets transfer. The other collaborating institutions that received similar set of equipment are the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike; and the Federal university of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB).

    Launched early this year, the project Sustainable Weed Management Technologies for Cassava Systems in Nigeria aims to find solutions to the labour-intensive weeding that is done by women and children in cassava farms to increase productivity for at least 125,000 farm families.

    The project, which is headed by Dr Alfred Dixon, has the potential to serve as a template for livelihood transformation in cassava-growing areas not just in Nigeria but across Africa.

  • Varsity to reduce hunger in Africa

    Purdue University researchers will lead a $5 million, five-year effort to help countries in sub-Saharan Africa reduce hunger and poverty fuelled by food waste.

    By improving processing and marketing of key crops, those in developing countries can make better use of food that already is being produced but is simply lost through poor storage or processing technologies and management practices.

    The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Processing and Post-Harvest Handling was announced by the United States Agency for International Development administrator Rajiv Shah at the Chicago Council’s Global Food Security Symposium.

    It is funded by Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative led by USAID.

    “This award from Feed the Future will enable Purdue to help smallholder farmers make available not only more food in a region of the world where it is greatly needed but also more nutritious food,” said university President Mitch Daniels.