The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Katsina State, Prof. Mohammed Khalid Othman, has pledged to implement recommendations made by the National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation teams to improve four academic programmes at the institution.
Othman gave the assurance while receiving the exit reports of four NUC accreditation teams that assessed the university’s Nursing Science, Medicinal Chemistry, Petroleum Chemistry and Geology programmes.
He described the exercise as critical to sustaining academic standards, improving institutional capacity and ensuring that the university’s programmes meet the regulatory requirements of the NUC.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university was undergoing transformation aimed at repositioning its academic programmes, upgrading teaching and learning facilities and strengthening its institutional structures.
He said the goal was to move FUDMA towards becoming a world-class institution.
Othman commended the accreditation teams for their thorough assessment, professionalism and constructive engagement with the university community.
He noted that the exercise had enabled the institution to identify its strengths and areas requiring improvement.
“We will carefully review their observations and recommendations and take appropriate steps towards addressing the identified gaps in the best interest of our students, staff, the university and the nation at large,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor added that accreditation should not be viewed merely as a regulatory exercise but as an opportunity to improve academic quality, institutional performance and graduate competence.
Speaking on behalf of the teams that assessed Medicinal Chemistry and Petroleum Chemistry, Prof. Sani Gumel of Bayero University, Kano, commended FUDMA for providing resources to support the programmes.
Gumel said the team examined the programmes’ philosophy and objectives, academic regulations, admission requirements, examination records, marking schemes, staff-student ratios and staff development.
Other areas assessed included library resources, safety facilities, institutional collaborations, laboratory equipment, machinery and staff offices.
He said the facilities inspected were adequate in several respects, while stressing the need to sustain existing strengths and address areas requiring further investment.
Similarly, the team leader for Geology, Prof. Tareshima Najime of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, expressed satisfaction with aspects of the programme but identified some areas for improvement.
He called for additional physical textbooks, the development of a students’ handbook and improved opportunities for staff development.
Najime said addressing the gaps would improve students’ access to academic materials, enhance their learning experience and strengthen the professional capacity of lecturers.
For Nursing Science, the team leader, Prof. Babayo Muhammad Tukur of the University of Maiduguri, said the assessment covered personnel and facilities available for academic instruction and clinical training.
He disclosed that the team inspected Dutsin-Ma General Hospital, Turai Yar’adua Specialist Hospital and Federal Teaching Hospital, where students undertake clinical and practical training.
Tukur commended the university’s efforts in establishing and supporting the programme but urged management to provide additional laboratory equipment and personnel.
He said adequate staffing and properly equipped training facilities were essential to producing competent nursing graduates capable of meeting professional standards and contributing to healthcare delivery.
The accreditation team leaders also urged the university management to strengthen budgetary allocations to the affected programmes and departments to facilitate the implementation of their recommendations.
They further called for improved safety infrastructure, particularly adequate fire-extinguishing equipment and other essential safety facilities.
The recommendations also emphasised sustained investment in academic resources, staff development, laboratory infrastructure and library materials to strengthen teaching, learning and research at the university.
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