…..Graduates 20,532 students
By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya has said the successes gained by the university over the years depends largely on his administration’s ability to attract donor grants.
Ishaya said the grants has enabled the University to improve academic standard, given reasons why the Ivory tower is graduating the best of 20, 532 students in the 33rd and 34th combined Convocation ceremonies of the University.
“On the achievements of the university, one of the strategies employed by this administration to improve the university’s academic standards is by being active in attracting donor grants and other funding support”, Ishaya said on Wednesday at the pre-convocation press conference of UNIJOS held at the school’s Senate Chambers.
According to him: “The University of Jos will graduate a total of 20,532 students on Saturday, out of whom 112 will graduate with first-class honors in the forthcoming 33rd and 34th convocations of the institution slated for Saturday this weekend.
“They comprise 159 PhDs, 3,669 Masters, 281 postgraduate diplomas, 11, 281 Bachelors, and 5,142 from affiliate institutions. First Class 112, Second Class Honors (Upper Division) 3093, Second Class (Lower Division) 6325, Third Class 1361, Pass Division 281 while Pass Qualified for Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine Program 109”, the University boss said.
He further pointed out that the high point of the program on Saturday will be the investiture of His Highness Mallam Nuhu Bamali, Emir of Zauzau, as the new Chancellor of the University of Jos, adding that the Chancellor will also be conferred with the Doctor of Laws Degree (LL.D.) Honorris Causa in company with two other eminent Nigerians: Professor Elias Bogoro with an Engineering degree as well as the former Nigerian Ambassador to Switzerland, Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, who will receive Doctors of Letters.
While still commenting on the success of the University, Ishaya continued: “In this regard, the University of Jos has secured a N250 million grant from the Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR) Africa Initiative under the auspices of the foundation’s Africa Tertiary Education Grant Scheme. The scheme is part of ASR Africa’s intervention towards undertaking infrastructure projects in universities and institutions of learning across Nigeria.
“To fulfill this requirement, the University management and other relevant stakeholders considered our different areas of needs and agreed that due to the fact that UNIJOS is hosting the next edition of NUGA Games in 2024, the grant should be utilized to develop outdoor courts and spectator stands as part of the designed sports complex.
“Despite the instability recently experienced in the nation’s tertiary educational system, the university has been able to cultivate several collaborations, partnerships, and networks with external bodies, institutions, and agencies that are yielding tangible results’, he said.
Still on academic success, he said: “Also key to the successes being recorded by the University is the unwavering attention placed on the providing high quality teaching, in-depth research and active community engagement.
“In pursuing this course, we have always ensured that the academic programmes being offered in the University are relevant to the needs of the people within the University’s catchment area and the country in general by providing an excellent balance between the essential principles of theorem and the practical applications of scientific innovative and creative endeavor”, Ishaya said.
