. A Professor of Philosophy of Education, Raymond B Bako, to chair the
Ahmadu Bello University has raised a high-powered committee to review course offerings by assessing their current relevance to national development needs, global trends, and strategic plan of the university.
A statement from the public affairs directorate office of the Vice Chancellor said the committee is to be chaired by Prof Raymond B Bako. Prof Bako is presently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic.
The decision for the review follows concerns that many of the institution’s academic programmes are at risk of losing relevance when compared with modern trends and current market demands.
The situation is reflected on the declining enrolment figures across several programmes and the limited graduates employability in certain disciplines. Consequently, the university constituted a 13- member committee to undertake a comprehensive review to critically examine the relevance of existing academic programmes.
The committee is also to advise on areas requiring adjustment, restructuring, or re-alignment in order to restore their competitiveness, industry responsiveness, and attractiveness to prospective students. The committee has six terms of reference that will guide its assignment.
Specifically, it is to critically review all existing course offerings to assess their current relevance to national development needs, global trends, and the core mandate and strategic plan of the university.
It is also to evaluate the structure, content, and duration of all academic programmes, ensuring coherence, eliminating unnecessary overlaps, and facilitating inter-disciplinary studies where beneficial.
Additionally, the committee shall recommend rationalisation of programmes, including the introduction of new demand-driven courses, the merging of similar programmes, modifications to existing curricula, and phasing out of any programme deemed obsolete or unsustainable.
A letter constituting and appointing Prof Raymond B Bako to chair the committee by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, explained that the committee wasgiven four weeks within which to submit its report from the date of its inauguration.
The Vice-Chancellor also said Prof Bako’s strong leadership and distinguished academic contributions made him exceptionally suited to guide the critical assignment.
Members of the committee include Prof Olayinka Okubanjo, Provost, Postgraduate College; Prof Abubakar Abdullahi, Dean, Faculty of Environmental Design; and Prof Maryam Aminu, Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences.
Others are Prof Muhammed Bashir Mu’azu, Director, Distance Learning Centre; Prof Wilson Oliver Hamman, Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences; and Prof David O Moveh, Department of Political Science and International Studies.
They also include Prof Edward O Abah, Department of English and Literary Studies; Prof Muhammad K Isa, Dean, Faculty of Administration; and Prof Bello Mukhtar, Director, Directorate of Academic Planning and Monitoring. Prof Yusuf A Ahmad, Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT); Prof Sahalu Balarabe Junaidu, Dean, Students Affairs; and Prof Mohammad Dauda, Department of Mechanical Engineering are equally members of the committee.
Mr. Yakubu Anivbassa, Acting Director, Directorate of Human Resources, in the Registry, will serve as Secretary of the committee.
