By Freelance Reporters, Jos

Officials at Plateau State University, Bokkos have announced that some governments and universities worldwide have expressed their readiness to collaborate in order to enhance education the university.

This was made known during the 53rd Governing Council meeting held at the University Senate Conference hall in Bokkos on July 4,2023.
PLASU Vice Chancellor Prof. Benard Matur revealed that the University has received partnership offers from various institutions and governments. These include five offers from the Government of Czechoslovakia, the University of Cape Town and the University of Johannesburg in South Africa, Jomo Kenyatta University in Nairobi, the Queensland Government in Australia, and Nigerians in Diaspora (NIDO).
The partnerships, coordinated by the University’s Directorate of Advancement and Linkages, primarily focuses on training in agriculture, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Ethics, and Real estate development.

Matur further stated that the management had in collaboration with the National Universities Commission (NUC), organized a 4-week online training on Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), facilitated by the National Universities Commission.
This training,he said, “will assist the University in self-assessing its current academic programs and proposing new ones moving forward.”

The Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to the Pro-chancellor and the Plateau State government for their support and for appointing him and pledged his continued cooperation and dedication to the university’s growth.

He also announced that the university has finalized plans to conduct the 2022/2023 post-UTME screening for 100-level and direct entry admissions in July this year assuring of his cooperation and loyalty to ensure progress.

Furthermore Matur disclosed that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has agreed to remove PLASU from the list of universities barred from accessing TETFund grants for training, research, and conferences adding that the fund has granted PLASU an additional one and a half years to allow staff members currently undergoing training to complete their studies.

Regarding the delay in salary payments, the Vice Chancellor stated that the university has been appealing to staff members through their respective unions for understanding on owed salaries.
He said efforts are being made by the university’s management to settle the salary backlog.

Matur also highlighted some measures implemented by the university, including providing free transportation services to all staff and students residing in Jos City and nearby towns during the examination period. He said solar-powered water systems have been procured and installed around the student’s hostels and Senate Building adding that the same will be extended to laboratories and the library by the end of July to minimize the use of diesel.

He requested the Council to take note of the issues tabled and appreciated TETFund’s support, as well as acknowledge the sacrifices made by staff members to maintain operations despite the strike undertaken by civil servants in the State.

He further informed Council that the underlisted undergraduate and postgraduate programs are to be run on the main campus of the University from the 2023/2024 Academic session.

1. B. Sc. Architecture
2. B. Sc. Building
3. LL. B. Law
4. PGD., M. A. & Ph.D. English
5. PGD., M. A., MPhil/Ph.D. History and International Studies
6. PGD., M. A., Ph.D. Theatre Arts
7. PGD., M. A., MPhil/Ph.D. Accounting
8. PGD., M. Sc., &Ph. D Management
9. PGD., M. Sc., & Ph.D. Chemistry
10. PGD., M. Sc., & Ph.D. Computer Science
11. M. Sc. & Ph.D. Mathematics
12. PGD., M. Sc. & Ph.D. Micro Biology
13. M. Sc., & Ph.D. Physics
14. PGD., M. Sc., &Ph D. Economics
15. PGD., M. Sc. & Ph D. Mass Communication
16. PGD. M. Sc. &Ph D. Political Science
17. PGD., M. Sc. & Ph D. Public Administration
18. M. Sc. & Ph D. International Relations and Strategic Studies
19. PGD., M. Sc. & Ph D. Psychology
20. PGD., M. Sc. & Ph D. Sociology
21. PGD., M. Sc. & Ph D. Geography
22. B. Agriculture
23. B. MLS Medical Laboratory Science
24. B. N. Sc. Nursing Science
25. B. Sc. Public Health.

John K.Agam
Public Relations Officer.

GOVERNOR RECIEVES ACCO

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has received accolades for reviving the Plateau State University Bokkos (PLASU) which was comatose when he assumed office but put it back on the path of growth and excellence.

The commendation was made during the 6th and 7th combined Convocation of the University held in Bokkos.

Chairman of the Governing Council Mgr. Prof. Francis Obiora Ike said apart from reviving the University, the Governor has invested resources in the institution and also created synergy with the Federal Government and the private sector to create opportunities for the growth of the University.

Prof. Obiora said the University has gradually expanded and is making inroads in the national and international academic spheres.

Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Yohanna Izam said the administration of Governor Lalong has proved skeptics wrong by revamping the institution and putting it on strong footing, thereby making it one of the best in the country particularly among its pears.

He said it was because of the passion and zeal of Governor Lalong that the University got support for the accreditation of all its courses as well as the introduction of new ones.

Prof. Izam said the new faculties are possible because of the investment of the State Government as well as the interventions by Tetfund in physical infrastructure and manpower development.

He said 1,356 students were being awarded degrees in various disciplines having fulfilled all the conditions for the award and found to be of good character.

The Vice Chancellor said while a lot has been achieved, there is still need to do more in addressing the challenges of water, power, security and fencing, hostels and staff quarters.

Governor Lalong said he was delighted with the growth of the Plateau State University which started with so much enthusiasm but later suffered setbacks and was nearly aborted by some people for reasons best known to them.

He said to the glory of God, the gains of the establishment of the University have begun to manifest to the consternation of many skeptics and pessimists where those who did not wish well for the University have turned around to lay claim to its success.

He used the opportunity to pay tribute to the former Governor of Plateau State Senator Joshua Chibi Dariye, who took the bold step to establish the University despite all odds. He also appreciated former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon who defied skeptics and threw his full weight behind the University.

He said “it is the determination of this government to continue to deploy available resources for the development of both the physical infrastructure and manpower to promote effective teaching, learning and research in the University. Because of the efforts we have put in so far and with the support of TetFund and the private sector, the University campus has witnessed tremendous growth and transformation in recent times. This has led to establishment of additional four new faculties of Law, Environmental Science, Health Sciences, Agriculture, Education as well as the School of Post Graduate Studies”.

Lalong encouraged the graduands to look beyond certificates and add value to the society by practical demonstration of knowledge acquired as the State and nation is in dire need for solutions to various challenges and is looking up to them.

He called on the management and academic staff of the University to also deepen their research and teaching into the critical challenges that are common to Plateau State and nation.

Plateau he said has a unique weather and climate that supports peculiar agriculture, tourism, mining, sports, investment and many other endeavours that can yield jobs and income for our teeming youths.

Honorary Doctorate Degrees were awarded to deserving personalities who include Prof. Ochapa Onazi, Prof. Isawa Eliagwu and Dr. Dere Awosika.

Outstanding graduands who got first class in various courses were given automatic employment by the Plateau State Governor as well as certificates and cash.

The Governor commissioned some projects which include Post Graduate School, University Rock Garden named after the Governor, Advancement and linkages office block and Faculty of agriculture.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
27th January 2023.

GAGDI STRATEGISES ON HOW TO MAKE REFUND OF 2022 WAEC, NECO REGISTRATION TO PKK SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS HITCH-FREE

Member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi in conjunction with the PKK Elders Advisory Council led by Nde John Gobak mni, has had an interactive session with major stakeholders in the education sector in the area to mitigate the difficulties faced by indigent secondary schools’ final year students in paying their WAEC, NECO fees.

The meeting was held at the MNS Resort in Pankshin. It had in attendance Principals of all public, private and faith based schools across the constituency.

Others included Zonal Education Director and the 3 Local Government Area Directors, Chairmen and Secretaries of the Parent Teachers association (PTAs) of the schools .

The others include, Central LGA PTA Chairmen, Presidents and Secretaries of the key Community Development Associations across the Constituency.

The meeting provided an avenue to scrutinize and analyse the 2022 NECO registration payment by Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi to over 3,400 indigent students spread across all the various schools in the constituency.

It also afforded them the opportunity to appreciate the lapses encountered during the exercise which were carefully studied to ensure fair and just process for the upcoming 2022 WAEC/NECO Registration refund, where another set of over 4,000 students are expected to benefit..

Speakers from the various strategic groups invited applauded the humane heart of Rt Hon Gagdi, promising to ensure that the good gesture of the member is not frustrated.

A Verification Commitee for each local government was set to ensure a careful verification exercise of the schools and students expected to benefit from the refund. They include:

Pankshin LGA :
Hon. Mrs Naomi Golmwen – Chairperson
Hon. Jurbe Gonet – Secretary
Representative of ANCOPSS
Representative of PTAs of the affected schools
Representative of the Local Government Central PTA.

Kanke LGA :
Hon. Zachariah Goshang- Chairman
Hon. Caleb Gotar – Secretary
Representative of ANCOPSS
Representative of PTAs of the affected schools
Representative of the Local Government Central PTA

Kanam LGA:
Hon. Ibrahim Saleh- Chairperson
Barr. Adamu Nuhu – Secretary
Representative of ANCOPSS
Representative of PTAs of the affected schools
Representative of the Local Government Central PTA

To make it workable, the refund would be directly paid into the accounts of the student (beneficiary) except stated otherwise by the student in the absence of a personal bank account.

Also, the Verification Exercise Committee was given 2 weeks to complete this exercise and ensure payment of the refund.


Powered by:

GAGDI STRATEGIC MEDIA TEAM
January 17, 2023