A Pace-Setter at 30
By Chris Ajaero
Monday, October 17, 2005
The University of Jos has grown rapidly to become a leader
When the University of Jos, UNIJOS, was established 30 years ago, the vision of its founding fathers was to nurture a citadel of learning, imbued with high international standard. It was also their mission to transform it into a centre of academic excellence that is rated among the best three universities in Nigeria.
After 30 years existence, UNIJOS has not only lived up to expectation as an institution with a great capacity for excellence, but is positioning itself to contribute towards national and international growth. This, it has done through research and the production of skilled and innovative graduates. Monday Mangvwat, vice-chancellor of the institution told Newswatch that since its inception, UNIJOS has remained committed to its goal of carrying its responsibility of fashioning tastes and attitudes of the future. "We are committed to providing education that is globally competitive and relevant to the needs of today's employer and the developing challenges of Nigeria and beyond," he said.
Proof of the university's high academic standard is shown by its rating as having the second best academic staff for the year 2004 by the National Universities Commission, NUC. Indeed, the institution is competing favourably with its peers and has even been rated above some of the first generations universities. The faculty of pharmaceutical sciences, one of its emerging centers of excellence is ranked first among Nigerian universities by the NUC. Two staff of the faculty won distinguished awards for individual research projects in the Nigerian universities research and development fair organised by the NUC. Francis Okwusaba, a professor and 11 others won the first prize with their project, Immunobooster for HIV/AIDS, while John Aguiyi took home the second prize for his Anti-Snake venom vaccine.
In this computer age, UNIJOS does not want to be left out in an era when the world is fast becoming a global village. It is against this background that the institution has the wider-net project with the University of IOWA in the United States, which is Information Communication Technology, ICT, based.
As a result of this arrangement, UNIJOS is currently leading other universities in the country in ICT development and boasts of wired and wireless Internet access in its campuses. Lately, the institution has moved emphasis into e-learning, applying ICT to different disciplines.
Besides, in an effort to address the recent challenges within the North Central zone of Nigeria, UNIJOS established the Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolutions and the Center for Interfaith and Religions Tolerance. These have greatly enhanced peace and inter-religions harmony among the people of the area.
Perhaps, one of the greatest achievements of the institution is the setting up of an advancement office to organise its development and fun raising. In a bid to overcome the problem of under funding, the university is working in partnership with Inyathelo: The South African Institute for Advancement and its affiliated international fund raisers, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, CASE. The Advancement office is considered as an important innovation, which will ensure that the institution has the resources to compete in the market, maintain and develop the quality of its teaching and research. This was made possible by a grant it received from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Andréa Johnson, programme officer, Carnegie Corporation confirmed that the university's wise investment of a portion of its grant from his group resulted in the establishment of the new Advancement Office, complete with a full complement of dedicated, energetic and trained staff. "Credit for this development goes to the vice-chancellor, for his vision of a revitalised university and the Jos-Carnegie Partnership Committee", Johnson said.
Dirk W. Vander Steen, advisor of the initiative also praised the vice chancellor for his display of visionary leadership and the determination with which he embraced the idea.
He told Newswatch that at 30, UNIJOS has shown signs of growth despite many obstacles and difficulties. "We have encountered a tremendously dedicated administration. And the development of this Advancement Office is a sign that we have entered a new era. I believe that the university cannot only sustain the advancement but that we can, with the number of graduates that have shown maturation, transform beyond where we are now," he said.
For Victor S. Dugga, executive director, Advancement Office, the initiative is a project that will transform education in Jos and Nigeria.
Another breakthrough, which UNIJOS has made in recent times, is the commi-ssioning of its Ornithological Research Institute. It is a unique post-graduate institute for the study of birds. Through a project sponsored by A.G Leventis, some professors drawn from Cambridge and Oxford universities came and taught UNIJOS post-graduate students free of charge. All these have earned the institution a lot of respect.
UNIJOS is also working with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for African Aids Initiative in Nigeria, APIN, and the Volkswagen of Germany for research on Sharia.
There are equally concrete efforts being made to digitise the services of the University Libraries. This is being done in collaboration with the Mortenson Center Library, USA.
In terms of student residences, the uniqueness of UNIJOS is best captured by the students' village hostel, built to express the pattern of an African village setting. Apart from the seven blocks of hostels in Naraguta and a six-block complex in the 'Abuja' hostels, two new hostels are currently under construction. They are being built by private entrepreneurial initiative and the Alumni Association of the institution.
Reflecting on the laudable achievements recorded by UNIJOS as it celebrates its 30th anniversary, Charles Homsuk, students' union president, UNIJOS, told Newswatch that the institution has come of age. "So far, so good. We thank God that the university has been growing day by day. We thank God that the current administration led by Professor Mangvwat has been trying tremendously to uplift the welfare of students on campus," he said.
At 30, UNIJOS has set the pace in building the base for enduring relationships that would make it remain a centre of academic excellence. The current vice chancellor of the institution radiated confidence as he told Newswatch the success story of UNIJOS.
An accomplished scholar whose vision has greatly transformed the institution, he said, he would like to leave an enduring legacy. "I believe I will be remembered… as somebody who galvanised this university and provided peace and academic expansion in the university of Jos within this particular period," Mangvwat said.
|
