The Vice-Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Muhammad Akaro-Mainoma, said that the state government has invested over N8 billion in the development of infrastructure in the institution in the last two years.
Akaro-Mainoma made this known on Saturday during the 5th combined convocation of the 7 sets of students from 2008/2009 to 2015/2016 academic session of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi in Keffi Council Area.
He said that about 30,000 graduates comprising 21,442 undergraduates for seven sessions of 2008 to 2006, and 8,270 postgraduate students would be graduating.
According to him, the institution has a wide range of staff development programme as 71 of our staff are on PhD training in local universities while 59 of them are on training in foreign universities.
58 staff members are currently running their M, Sc. programme in Nigeria Universities and 215 of our staff have attended conference within the last two years.
He added that 36 non-teaching staff attended local conferences while 13 attended international conference.
Akaro-Mainoma also informed the gathering that the institution has 54 academic programmes for undergraduates with eight faculties.
He added that 195 programmes are offered at the Post Graduate Diploma (PGD), Masters and Doctor of Philosophy levels.
“Out of the 45 academic programmes approved by the National Universities Commission, 44 have full accreditation status while efforts are being made to get nine additional programmes accredited, bringing the total number of academic programmes at undergraduate level to 54.
“We will continue to maintain academic standard as the university is well known for its academic excellence.
“In terms of infrastructural development, we have seen with ourselves the level of development in this institution.
“TETFund has only invested N2 billion, while the state government has invested over N8billion in the universities,” he said.
Akaro mainoma commended the Nasarawa State Government and TETFund for contributing to the educational advancement of the institution.
He identified the challenges facing the institution to include funding, examination malpractice, admission among others.
The Vice-Chancellor restated the commitment of the institution to continue to initiate good educational policies and programmes to improve on the welfare of staff and students.
Also speaking, Bishop Mathew Kukah, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council said that the institution was one of the best and fasting growing universities in Nigeria.
Kukah promised to ensure that education standard and best practices are maintained in the institution for the overall development of the country.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Prof. Adamu Baikie, the institution pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tam -David West and Dr Shehu Usman-Chindo, the new chancellor of the university were awarded Honourary Doctorate degrees for their various contributions to humanity and the society.(NAN)