The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sabo Ibrahim Birnin Kudu, has outlined a detailed vision and the plans to bring into reality a Federal University of Technology, Babura made up of “multi-talented schools that will produce versatile and skilled graduates.” The vision aims to, “attract sponsored research and funding, have well trained motivated staff for higher productivity, enabling environment for useful learning, utilization of ICT infrastructure in administration and management processes and disciplined and committed leadership.”
Presenting a seven point vision document during the inaugural meeting of the Council, on Tuesday 23rd July, 2024, at the VC’s Committee Room, at the Temporary Campus, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sabo Ibrahim B/Kudu listed priorities of the administration as: mounting relevant undergraduate programmes, nurturing a tradition of distinguished research and scholarship, recruiting and retaining best academic staff, capacity building of staff. Creation of sustainable sources of funding, provision of excellent university governance and execution of priority projects.
Earlier the VC had announced that in the new session commencing November 2024 (2024/25 session) the school of Information and Communication Technology will come into being and an additional 11 academic programmes will commence. This was part of his briefing to the inaugural Council meeting on the journey so far, since the setting up of the University and appointment of principal officers in February 2022.
The briefing mentioned that the two schools now run 13 programmes in eight departments, all the programmes were approved by NUC after its resource verification visit in August 2022. There were a total of 221 teaching and non-teaching staff but more will be needed with the planned mounting of 11 new programmes. He said there are now 458 students at 200 level and 509 100 level students; and that staff development activities included sponsorship of staff for higher studies, appropriate skills training and conference attendance.
The briefing also touched on the appointment of the Chancellor, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the Olowo of Owo Kingdom whose investiture took place on 4th May, 2024. It also covered issues of staff and student welfare. The challenges listed included pending legislation to back establishment of the institution, inadequate road infrastructure, inadequate electricity, inadequate accommodation for staff and students, lack of shuttle busses and the need for more staff across all units and need for funding for infrastructure.
After the briefing the Chairman of the Council, Prof. Oniomawo Ignatius Akhakhira praised the vision of the VC and the various milestones he had set for his administration. He said that such indices would make it easy for his performance to be measures at the end of his tenure. He also praised progress across all sectors as presented in the VC’s briefing. The Pro Chancellor promised to work with members to tackle the challenges outlined by the VC in his briefing.