Labour unrest, challenge to educational development – VC
NAN-H-62
Unrest
By Awayi Kuje
Keffi (Nasarawa State), May 4, 2017 (NAN) Prof. Muhammad Akaro-Mainoma, the Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, says labour unrest has remained one of the greatest challenges facing the development of the education sector in the country.
Akaro-Mainoma said this on Thursday while briefing newsmen in Keffi ahead of the 5th Convocation of the institution slated for May 6.
He said that in spite of incessant labour disputes, the institution has achieved a lot especially in the areas of infrastructure and human capacity development.
The vice chancellor said that the management of the university was set to uplift the institution to international standard in order to improve on the standard of education for the overall development of the country.
“The University was established in 2001 by the Nasarawa State Law No.1. The institution took-off officially in 2002 with the admission of 473 undergraduate students and started with three faculties; namely Faculty of Arts and Social Science, Education, and Natural and Applied Science with 19 academic programmes.
“At inception, the university had 49 academic staff and 33 non-teaching staff, but today the institution have institution have 54 academic programmes for undergraduates with eight faculties and post graduates programmes, giving a total of 195 programmes.
“The institution as at March 2017 has a staff strength of about 1,124, comprising 523 academic staff, senior non-teaching staff 326 and junior staff strength of 275, with total student enrolment of 17,641 against the 2016/2017 session.
“The institution have achieved a lot in the area of academic and physical development, and we will continue to do our best to make the institution a world class university,” he said.
Akaro-Mainoma added that the institution has established 27 directorates, centres and institutes.
According to him, “From 2006 to 2017, the university appointed 50 home-grown professors from the rank of its lecturers.
“Currently the university boosts of 83 professors in various disciplines ranging from professors on permanent, contract, sabbatical and visiting appointment.’’
He identified other challenges facing the institution as funding, admission and examination malpractice, among others.
While appreciating the cooperation and support the institution has been enjoying from the state government and the people of the state, the vice chancellor called for its sustenance. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola