By ABUBAKAR YUSUF.
The Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah said the Institution in the last four years had placed itself on the world map, owing to practical achievements and performance in both academic and related activities.
Na’Allah who bare his mind during the convocation press conference held at conference hall of the university on Thursday to kick start the 28th convocation ceremony slated for Saturday.
The Vice Chancellor said this year’s convocation ceremony will attract the graduation of 9,172 with 7,896 graduates and 1,276 post graduates students.
Professor Na’Allah stressed that the university will be producing 41 first class graduates , second class upper 1,845 while lower 4,842, 1,075 for third class with pass 50 students .
Other categories are MBBS 43 , PhD 151, Msc/ Mphil 742, while post graduate diploma gets 383.
While commending government supports to the Institution at all levels, he asked for more supports and initiatives both from the public and private sector to salvage the ivory tower.
He said the Institution was already positioned to fight all anti social vices which included sexual harrassement among many other vices, stating that the university is set to launch a program that will guide against sexual vices.
According to Na’Allah, the University has established four new faculities consisting of faculty of Nursing, Pharmacy, Communication and Enviromental science with communication and Environment science having 7 departments each in it’s faculty.
“Plans are underway for the establishment of faculty of Nuclear Engineering to be able to resolve and advance both conventional electricity problems and renewable energy in the country.” He stated.
Professor Na’Allah assured Nigerians that with collaborations with the Atomic Energy Commission of Nigeria, it will be able to resolve numerous power policies and chart a new course for its development.
He said the Institution had embarked on renovation of many of it’s old structures, student hostels and collaborated with Family Home Fund FHF, an agency of government to build 100 residential staff quarters at the permanent site for staffers.
“In his words, government alone cannot fund the University hence the establishment of the University foundation meant to support research and infrastructure for the Institution .”
We established many centers which included Centre for Enterpreneurial Development were students are expected to attract skills among others and also Register a company with CAC before graduation.
“With Enterpreneurial exposure, graduates of the university like other institutions will not be thrown to the labour market on graduation, but indulge in the application acquired during the academic program in the university.”
In partnerships with Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry ACCI with students engagements in both academic and industry aspect to expose them to modern and modest practices.
“We also established Centre for internship and linkages so as to assist students beyond ordinary SIWES program and career and counselling services already approved by TETFUND to support career training of students and after their studies.”
The Vice Chancellor maintained that plans have been concluded to float a Microfinance Bank with approval already secured from the CBN as this will assist students and staff with single digit loan.
On the University land mass , he commended the cordial relationship between the communities and the university community, that had enjoyed full cooperation in securing of it’s land , hence the ongoing perimeter fence that will give full control of land mass without encroachment.
“We are determined to secure our land from the airport to Gwagwalada town , after we must have completed the fencing, we will swoop on illegal occupants on the university land and weed them out, with full cooperation of the adjoining communities, which led to establishment of Centre for Community Development.”
“We have also introduced a community relations programs covering Health, Education, Empowerment to address the gap and depth of understanding between the communities sorrounding the university and the Institution.”
Na’Allah promised to continue to advance the course of the world best class institution in Nigeria, stating that he will continue to deploy his wealth of experience up till the last day of his tenure billed to end in June , this year.
“The centers created will not only serve as veritable tool for economic emancipation, but develop and create ideas that is capable of advancing humanity.”
“We are organizing about the 3rd or 4th convocation ceremony because of our believe in academic diversity and improvement that will attract more infrastructural , academic, research development.” He stated.
