ABU set to attain 70:30 ratio in postgraduate, undergraduate intakes by 2036

Ahmadu Bello University is gradually planning to increase its postgraduate enrolment to attain 70:30 ratio in postgraduate and undergraduate intakes by 2036, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, said in Zaria yesterday. 

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The plan, according to the Vice-Chancellor, was in recognition of the centrality of postgraduate studies in the production of high-level manpower and quality research for sustainable national development. 

Prof. Bala spoke while declaring open the 1st International Conference organised by the Department of Mass Communication, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. 

The three-day conference, put together in partnership with MacArthur Foundation, the Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ), Rise Networks, Dataphyte, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), and Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre (WAMAC), began on Monday, 26th February, 2024. 

He said that one of his first agenda upon assumption of office as Vice-Chancellor was to encourage scholarship and critical intellectual discourses that ABU was hitherto well-known for. 

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This, the Vice-Chancellor also said, was with a view to proffering solutions to local and global problems in addition to uplifting the University’s global ranking and visibility. 

“This can be realized through conferences like this. In this regard, the University has sponsored hundreds of national and international conferences, workshops and seminars to promote scholarship”, he said. 

The University, according to him, had, in addition to conferences, signed memoranda of understanding with first class universities around the world to facilitate exchange of ideas for academic excellence. 

Prof. Bala described as “timely” the theme of the conference, “Media Insecurity and Development: Issues, Challenges, and the Way Forward”, in view of the strategic role media plays in promoting national security and socio-economic development in Nigeria. 

The Vice-Chancellor urged the participants to brainstorm, learn new ideas and come up with practical solutions on how media can contribute towards addressing insecurity and national questions in Nigeria. 

While wishing the participants fruitful deliberations, the Vice-Chancellor also urged the conference organisers to publish its findings and make copies available online and to the relevant authorities for prompt action. 

Bala commended the Department for organising the conference, an effort he described as remarkable. 

He also expressed gratitude to the development partners, particularly MacArthur Foundation, CCIJ, Rise Networks, WAMAC and others who supported the event. 

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion, Alhaji Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, the Director-General, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), said that in the age of misinformation and disinformation, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of communication was becoming increasingly challenging. 

Represented by Hajiya Saudat Suleiman, the Zonal Director, NTA Kaduna Network Centre, Dembos stressed that the spread of fake news and manipulation of misinformation posed a major problem to communication. 

In her address of welcome, the Head, Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Adama Adamu, expressed the University’s immense gratitude to MacArthur Foundation for its support in coopting partners into the conference.   

She explained that the collaboration and dedication of the partners had been instrumental in shaping the success of the conference and advancing the field of communication and media studies. 

The Kaduna State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani, who was represented by his Commissioner of Education, Prof. Muhammad Sani Bello, as well as His Highness Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, the Emir of Zazzau, were among the key dignitaries that attended the conference opening ceremony. 

…………………….

Public Affairs Directorate, 

Office of the Vice-Chancellor, 

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 

27th February, 2024