Campus Relocation Won’t Affect 100, 200 Level Students – FUDMA VC  

Campus Relocation Won’t Affect 100, 200 Level Students – FUDMA VC 

The Management of Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA) has held a critical meeting with all professors in the institution during which decisions were taken that affect the growth and development of the university.

Issues discussed during the interactive session include the movement of some Faculties to the permanent site, logistics and accommodation, streamlining admission within the university’s carrying capacity, halt to the introduction of new courses, and strategies to ensure full accreditation of all the existing courses.

The meeting was piloted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Khalid Othman, who said it was meant to collectively address all issues, including staff welfare and academic activities, to ensure academic excellence and move the university forward.

A cross-section of Professors at the parley with the University Management

On the relocation to the main campus, Prof. Othman said it an irreversible decision that requires the cooperation of all.

According to him, the initial phase of the relocation would involve some selected faculties and departments.

He however said 100 and 200-Level students within the relocating faculties would continue to receive lectures at the Take-off campus.

This, he said, was necessary because of the Common and General Studies courses they take and the availability of Computer-Based Test facilities at the Take-off campus.

The Vice-Chancellor reiterated the commitment of the management in enhancing transportation services between the two campuses, adding that more buses will be provided.

“They would operate on scheduled routes and timetables to facilitate orderly transportation for staff and students,” he added.

On admission, Prof Othman informed the professors that the university currently has approximately 40,000 students and about 4,000 staff and will only admit students based on available spaces.

He also said a deliberate step is been taken to address challenges afflicting some academic programmes, in line with regulatory requirements and institutional priorities.

“The university’s present priority is to strategically strengthen its existing programmes and secure full accreditation for them, not to introduce new ones,” he added.

The Vice-Chancellor said  that the only exception is the proposed Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme, which are top the university’s plan.

He said that already, efforts are on to secure accreditation for the Health Sciences programmes, just as government has approved a hospital to serve as the University’s Teaching Hospital.

“Once all accreditation requirements are satisfied, the University will proceed with the establishment of the MBBS programme which, by the grace of Allah, will commence with a relatively low number of students to place less pressure on existing infrastructure in the University”, Prof. Othman revealed.

He also said that the the University is exploring short-term, market-driven professional certificate programmes in emerging fields such as Digital Content Development and related digital skills.

He said the intention is to improve employability and entrepreneurship without significantly increasing undergraduate enrolment.

Prof. Othman expressed concern over the commencement of the Livestock Breeding programme without full accreditation, informing the participants that the Management had taken corrective action by reviewing the curriculum and submitting the revised documents to the National Universities Commission (NUC).

He said once the programme is approved, it will become one of the pioneering programmes of its kind in Nigeria and contribute to national livestock development initiatives.

The meeting agreed to have a Jumu’at Mosque at the main campus and ensure steady development of the campus based on the masterplan.

The Professors reaffirmed their unanimous support for the phased relocation to the Main campus, commending the management’s strategic planning and foresight.

They, however, emphasized the need to continue improving infrastructure at both campuses, strengthening transportation services, staff accommodation, security, academic quality and ensure that all future developments are guided by the University’s approved Master Plan.

FUDMA Registrar, Dr. Musa Ajiya

In his remarks, the Registrar, Dr. Musa Ajiya, said the management has made arrangements to accommodate essential service personnel during the initial relocation phase to the main campus.

The essential staff are those from Student Affairs Deanery, the University Health Services, Directorate of Security Services, Directorate of Physical Planning and Works and other operational units, “whose presence is critical to supporting students and ensuring uninterrupted service delivery”.

The interactive session resolved that while the Take-off campus continue to function, it must be improved in terms of infrastructure and learning environment.

The participants also agreed that priority be given to securing accreditation for existing academic programmes, particularly the proposed MBBS and the Livestock Breeding course.

The meeting also said the University management should continue to seek Public-Private Partnerships and intervention funding for staff housing, students’ accommodation, and other strategic infrastructure.