NUC Describes Accreditation As Opportunity For Academic Growth As KIU Welcomes Constructive Assessment

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has described accreditation as an important process for academic growth, institutional development and quality assurance, emphasising that it should be viewed as an opportunity for improvement rather than a period of panic.

The leader of the NUC accreditation team for Physiotherapy, Professor Isa Usman Lawal, made the remark during the ongoing accreditation exercise at Kashim Ibrahim University (KIU).

He said the exercise was designed to assess compliance with established academic standards, identify areas requiring improvement and commend programmes performing satisfactorily.

He emphasised that the team's mission was to provide professional guidance and recommendations that would strengthen academic delivery and institutional capacity.

Similarly, the NUC team leader for Health Information Management, Professor Bilkisu Kabir Faruq, said the team was at the university to assess the programme, ensure quality and offer necessary professional advice. She appreciated the management for the warm reception and assured the university of the team's commitment to a thorough assessment.

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Babagana Gutti, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Services, Professor Shuaibu Garba Ngulde, welcomed the teams and reaffirmed the university management's commitment to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement.

He encouraged the assessors to thoroughly examine the university's academic records, staffing, facilities and other relevant resources, assuring them of unrestricted access and openness to constructive criticism.

Professor Ngulde also acknowledged the Borno State Government's commitment to education and healthcare development, particularly its investment in the recently commissioned teaching hospital, which is critical to the effective delivery of medical and health-related programmes.

He directed the Provost to facilitate the teams' inspection of the teaching hospital and other relevant facilities. He also appealed for the sharing of useful academic resources, particularly textbooks and electronic library materials, to strengthen teaching, learning and research.