GQAA Commends ABU for Inclusive Staff Training Initiative
The Global Quality Assurance Association (GQAA) has praised Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, for extending staff training beyond academics to include administrative personnel.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The Global Quality Assurance Association (GQAA) has lauded Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, for its commitment to providing training opportunities for all categories of staff, beyond just academic personnel.
Speaking at a workshop on quality assurance in higher education in Accra, Ghana, the Director of GQAA, Dr. Violet Makuku, praised ABU’s inclusivity in staff development. She emphasized that extending training to registry and bursary staff would significantly enhance the university’s overall teaching, learning, and research standards.
The three-day workshop, themed Quality Assurance in Higher and Tertiary Education Leadership and Management, Blended Teaching and Learning, Research and Innovation, is organized by GQAA to promote global best practices in higher education institutions.
Dr. Makuku, a renowned educationist and quality assurance specialist, expressed her delight at seeing non-academic staff actively participating in the training. She stressed that staff development initiatives should not be restricted to academics alone, as all personnel play vital roles in service delivery within tertiary institutions.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Kabiru Bala, described the training as "refreshing" and called for more such interactions to enhance institutional effectiveness. Echoing his sentiments, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Raymond B. Bako, commended the workshop facilitators for their excellent presentations and pledged that ABU participants would share their knowledge with colleagues upon their return.
Some of the key topics covered at the workshop include the global understanding of quality assurance for maximum benefits, building a culture of quality and continuous improvement, and adopting a learner-centered teaching and learning approach.
Among the ABU delegation at the workshop are the university’s Bursar, Malam Muhammad Bello Aminu Gurin; Dean of Engineering, Prof. A. I. M. Dabo; and Dean of Education, Prof. H. I. Bayero.
The initiative highlights ABU’s commitment to fostering a robust quality assurance culture across all its administrative and academic structures, reinforcing its position as a leading institution in higher education in Nigeria and beyond.
