The Academic programmes of Plateau State University Bokkos is set to soar from seventeen to fourty eight courses this year as its faculties have been increased from four to ten, the University’s Vice Chancellor has said.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the University’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), John K. Agam, and made available to THE NIGERIA STANDARD in Jos, the Plateau State capital recently.
The Vice Chancellor, Plateau State University Bokkos, Professor Bernard Malau Matur, stated this when he played host to the Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Kacholom Pyam Gang, in his office while on a familiarisation visit to the university.
The VC who used the occasion to commend Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, for approving the release of over #375 million naira for the re-accreditation of existing programmes, said the National Universities Commission would soon embark on a resource verification visit with a view to adding the Faculty of Education to the list of programmes of the university.
This, he said, was in addition to the proposed School of Business Studies beginning early next year and the School of Postgraduate Studies. He said “The University will continue to improve on its facilities and academic standards in order to attract more students.
“The university is also diversifying its sources of power supply to include clean energy which will be vigorously pursued through the university’s solar farm initiative for cost effectiveness and in ensuring programmes and activities of the university run unhindered”, he assured.
Professor Bernard Malau Matur, thanked the staff of the university for their understanding in spite of the challenges being faced by the university by not participating in the recently called off strike embarked upon by workers in the state even with the existing arrears of unpaid salaries.
He also commended Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, for working to offset the arrears of salaries and for collaborating with the university in strengthening external partnerships to ensure the development of the university. The VC added that the university would scale up efforts in its skills acquisition training to make its graduates less dependent on government for employment.
He then appealed to the government to scale up the development of capital projects in the university through the provision of hostel accommodation that could accommodate 5000 students as this would serve as a source of revenue in addition to securing the university through the completion of the construction of its perimeter fencing.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Higher Education Dr.Kachollom Pyam Gang, urged the university community to support the state government in driving the education industry in the state to higher heights because the school’s standard has degenerated and has taken Plateau State to the backseat position in the country.
She said the state government was working hard to address the debt burden inherited and also address the security situation in the state and decaying infrastructures which have led to the mass exodus of investors from the state.
Dr. Gang, however, encouraged Plateau State University to scale up its performance in order to retain its students and attract new ones as more universities were being established, making the education environment highly competitive.
She also urged the university management to operate an open door policy as the ministry strengthens its supervisory role.
