₦airaland Forum

The COL President maintained that students were becoming more interested in designing their own curricula, with the emergence of new technology which also unleashed what he described as a storm of ‘disruptive innovation’, that forced many workplaces to redesign jobs constantly. He added that with this principle of students referring to their courses of studies as ‘my degree, my way’, there had been a corresponding multiplication in the tools that students could use for this purpose, ranging from Open Education Resources (OERs) and the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)- a direct development from OER.

According to the lecturer, these new trends were given a massive boost due to the move to online learning, which until recently, was thought to be of low quality among universities. It was also supported by the fact that students tended to move towards shorter courses, which they believed guaranteed intense concentration on learning and enabled them to succeed. He added that the qualifications that defined the output of higher education were being reformed, such as awards in the form of open badges.

He, however, stated that the challenge of these online offerings and any qualifications attached to them were to ensure quality, insisting that like the rest of Mr. Maiyaki, Profs. Okojie, Aminu and Akinrinade higher education, quality assurance systems had to move with the times. Professor Daniel stated that there was plenty of room to develop approaches to higher education models that were authentically African and Nigerian. He recommended that all students must be trained to examine any statement critically, to assess the evidence for and against it and to make up their minds, on their own, whether to accept the statement, reject, modify or develop it further.

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President Commissions Engineering Block at Afe Babalola
University.

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APPLICATIONS FOR THE SECOND EDITION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT (PRESSID)

As part of efforts to achieve the goals of Vision 20:2020 and the Transformation Agenda, the Federal Government of Nigeria plans to develop a critical mass of professionals who would serve as catalysts of change and agents of scientific and technological advancement, as well as sustainable economic development.

This would be achieved through the sponsorship of outstanding students for postgraduate studies in the top 25 universities in the world. To this end, the Federal Government has instituted the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development.

The PRESSID Implementation Committee now invites applications from qualified candidates for the second edition of the scheme (2014/2015 academic session).

Eligibility Criteria for the Scheme

Interested candidates should:

1. be graduates from the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 academic sessions, who would have completed their National Youth Service by October 2013;

2. have obtained First Class Honours degree from any recognised and approved University in the following disciplines and aim at postgraduate degrees in the specified and allied disciplines:
a. Sciences: Nuclear Physics, Operations Research, Industrial Chemistry, Quantitative Genetics, etc
b. Basic Medical Sciences: Anatomy, Physiology, Medical Biochemistry, etc;

c. Special Aspects of Biology: Biometrics, Molecular Biology, etc;
d. Economics: Econometrics, Development Economics, etc;
e. Engineering & Technology: Aeronautical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical/Electronics, Metallurgy, Material Science and Production Engineering, Nanotechnology, Cyber-Security, Software Engineering, etc;

f. Medicine: Oncology, Human Genetics, Hepatology, Nuclear Medicine, Geriatrics, etc;
*In the case of Medicine, candidates must have a minimum of 2 Distinctions in their Part 3 and Part 4 MBBS examinations;

In all cases, candidates must:
(a) be below 30 years of age by October 2013;
(b) be computer literate; and
(c) be ready to be bonded and to work, preferably, as academic staff in any public university or research institute for a minimum period of five (5) years.

Please note that universities in the United States of America require candidates to sit for the Graduate Record Exams (GRE) before they can secure admission.

Method of Application

Interested candidates should visit www.nuc.edu.ng and click on ‘Apply for PRESSID’ link to complete the application, which closes on 8th November 2013. For further enquiries, please contact the Committee through pressid@nuc.edu.ng or presidentialscholarshipscheme@gmail.com.

Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for further screening.


Signed
Professor Julius A. Okojie, OON
Chairman, Implementation Committee, PRESSID

http://www.nuc.edu.ng/

National Universities Commission.

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The Implementation Committee of the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development (PRESSID), is fashioning out modalities to guide the second phase of the scholarship, after a successful implementation of the first phase. The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC) and Chairman of the Committee, Professor Julius A. Okojie OON, has disclosed this. He said that 101 candidates benefited from the scheme, out of which 83 had commenced academic activities in 25 top universities in the world, while 18 were yet to resume, due to various reasons that ranged from unconcluded admission processes, deferment of admission, among others.

Professor Okojie made this known on Monday 23 September, 2013, at a meeting of the
Committee held at the NUC Secretariat, Abuja. He explained that the Committee
was considering the recommendation to increase the number of scholarships
from 101 in the pilot exercise, to 200 in the 2014/2015 session, so as to
accommodate more scholars, adding that merit would still be given a priority
in the selection process. He said that regular monitoring visits would be made
to the scholars, to ascertain their level of academic progress, and also obtain
report from their various supervisors on their performances.

The Executive Secretary said that the Committee would delist any of the
25 top universities that fall below 30 in global ranking, while beneficiaries
who failed to utilise the award within the next session after the award,
may forfeit it. He said that Government was determined to sustain the
Scheme by providing adequate funds. Professor Okojie explained that the
Committee was working on modalities that would ensure that all selected
disciplines were considered in the current scheme. He informed the Committee
that President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, had said that the scholars were not
restricted to working in the tertiary education sub-sector, but that they could
also work in any sector of the nation’s economy.

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A total of twenty graduates of the Redeemer’s University (RUN), Mowe, Ogun State, bagged First Class Honours degrees at the recent fifth convocation of the Institution, held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Youth Centre Camp. The event featured the award of first degrees to a total of 519 graduands across the three Colleges of Humanities, Management and Health Sciences for the 2013/2014 academic session. Among the First Class graduates were twin sisters, Kehinde and Taiwo Babaagba, who emerged as the first and second best graduating students respectively.

The General Overseer of RCCG and Visitor to the University, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, remarked that the Vice-Chancellor and his team had done a great deal of work in taking RUN to greater heights. He thanked the University’s retiring Governing Council members for what he described as “the excellent work they had done”, noting that only God could reward them. He called on the new Council to put in its best to maintain the high standards set by their predecessors. He congratulated the graduating students for their achievements and wished them the best in their future endeavours. Pastor Adeboye prayed that the academic, moral and spiritual lessons they learnt in RUN would be useful to them in the race of life.

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Following the threat of a demonstration, by the Coalition of Nigerian Diaspora Students in the UK,
as a result of the on-going industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),
the National Universities Commission (NUC) delegated a team to brief the Nigerian High Commission,
in the United Kingdom between Wednesday, 11 and Friday 13 September, 2013. On the delegation, led by the Director,
Quality Assurance, Professor Chiedu Mafiana, were the Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations,
Mr. Ibrahim Yakasai and Deputy Director, Protocol and Chief of Staff to the Executive Secretary, Mr. Chris Maiyaki.


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he National Universities Commission (NUC) has received, through the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, a circular notice on existing vacancies at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Geneva, Switzerland, for the posts of Junior Cyber Security Officer (Position No. 1), with notice no. 18P-2013/BDT-IEE/EXTERNAL/P2, and Head, Outreach, Events and Publications Division (Position No. 2), with notice no. 14P-2013/TSB-OPD/EXTERNAL/P5.

N.B Interested candidates are required to complete an on-line application form.

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The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius A. Okojie, OON, on Tuesday, 10 September, 2013, flagged off the second phase of a workshop to develop instruments for the accreditation of post-graduate programmes in the Nigerian University System (NUS). The Workshop, which was organised for panels, comprising academics in the six disciplines of Law, Sciences, Arts, Basic Medical and Health Sciences, Social Sciences, as well as Environmental Sciences, was held in the NUC Secretariat.

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It would be recalled that the Appeal Court, sitting in Ibadan, on Tuesday, 31 July, 2013, ruled in favour of the National Universities Commission (NUC), in the suit against Lead City University, Ibadan, on the Institution’s Law programme. The Court set aside the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, in Suit No. FHC/IB/CS/50/2009, delivered by Justice Shakarho J. on 26 July, 2011.

The Commission had approached the Court of Appeal and filed nine Grounds of Appeal from which the NUC Lead Counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), with Peter Evrivwode (Esq.), distilled five issues for determination by the Appeal Court in Suit No. CA/1/255/2011.

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Evangel University Akaeze, Ebonyi State is one of the five new Private Universities licensed by the Federal Government of Nigeria on 28th February 2012 to operate as a degree awarding institution. The Proprietor of Evangel University is the Assemblies of God, Nigeria.

The vision of the university is to give total education to the total man and so produce men and women that shall be totally relevant in every sphere of the society. Products of Evangel University are equipped academically, morally and motivated to be leaders in Nigeria’s public and private sectors and so be able to face the challenges of their generation, at work, in leadership, innovative job creation. The mission of the University is “to offer total education for the liberation of the total/whole man; for total service to God, man and the individual and society at large”. Through scientific inquiry, academic integrity, tolerance to diverse views and opinions, coupled with faith in the Bible as God’s word, the University shall aim at achieving its vision and mission.

The Evangel University took off with academic programmes in two Colleges namely, College of Business Studies and College of Sciences. Other programmes are to commence in subsequent phases of the development of the University. They include: College of Legal Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, College of Dentistry, College of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Environmental Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences, College of Education, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology. In keeping with its vision Evangel University is working to become one of the best Universities that will positively impact the society.

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Nigeria Signs African Virtual University Charter
… Delegation Visits NUC

To complement Nigeria’s commitment to the innovative application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in quality higher education delivery, the Honourable Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, OON, on behalf of the Federal Government, on Tuesday, 20 August, 2013, signed the African Virtual University (AVU) Charter, making it the 18th Member State of the Virtual University concept.

At the signing ceremony, which took place at the Minister’s conference room, Abuja, Professor Rufa’i gave the assurance that Nigeria would continue to support the AVU as a beacon for the promotion of e-learning, for quality education delivery in Africa, saying that the commitment to e-learning led the government to establish an Open and Distance Education Department in the National Universities Commission (NUC) and to consistently support the growth of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

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The National Universities Commission (NUC) has received a call circular from the Embassy of Mexico in Nigeria inviting applications from interested and most qualified candidates for its special programmes of the 2013 Mexican Government Scholarship Programme for Foreign Students.

The programmes are addressed mainly to professionals, experts, specialists, professors and artists in different fields. The general Scholarship Programme for Postgraduate Students 2013 will be announced shortly.

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NIGERIA FRENCH LANGUAGE VILLAGE,
TOPO-BADAGRY, LAGOS

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
DIRECTOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates
for the position of Director/Chief Executive,
Nigeria French Language Village, Topo-Badagry, Lagos Nigeria.

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As a follow-up to an earlier proposal, a team, led by the General Manager, Knowledge Enterprise of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mrs. Uche Owo-Onu, on Wednesday, 24 July, 2013, met with the Management of the National Universities Commission (NUC), to fine-tune modalities for the production and transmission of an educational project to be known as University Debate, on the Channel 525 of the network. In her remarks, Mrs. Owo-Onu said that NTA Knowledge was a network channel transmitting on the Star times Digital Terrestrial Platform, with the mandate to produce and transmit formal or informal core educational content. She emphasised that the channel also sought to create a platform for the promotion of the activities of NUC and the universities.

The General Manager informed the Management that the channel was created four years ago, but that she took over last year and came to sensitise the Commission about its existence and the need for collaboration in the area of promoting university-wide debates. She said that the Knowledge network had embarked on a sensitisation of relevant stakeholders, to expose them to the importance of the channel.

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The Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), Professor James Adelabu, has announced the accreditation of the three suspended programmes of the Institution, namely: Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, by the National Universities Commission (NUC), while the Engineering programme, which had been closed down, has received the Commission’s approval. The approval followed a recent resource verification visit by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

While briefing newsmen, in the University Senate Building, on Tuesday, 23 July, 2013, Professor Adelabu, announced that Medicine and Veterinary Medicine got full accreditation, while the Agriculture programme had interim accreditation status. The Engineering programme, which was closed down, was to commence with the Departments of Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical and Civil Engineering. Professor Adelabu informed the press that the 500 level Engineering students had been transferred to the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna and that the 300 as well as 400 level students had been distributed to other institutions.

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A five-man delegation from El-Amin International Nigeria Limited, owners of El- Amin International Primary and Secondary Schools in Minna and Abuja, on Wednesday, 17 July, 2013, paid a visit to the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius A. Okojie, OON, to submit a proposal for the establishment of El-Amin University, Minna, Niger State.

Welcoming the team, Professor Okojie said the NUS had grown from humble beginnings, during the colonial era, to a position where more universities had been established to provide access to the high demand for tertiary education. He decried the recent trend whereby, people prefer foreign universities, most of which he said, were just affiliates of other universities, to Nigerian ones. He added that the huge finances involved in such foreign institutions, if invested in the NUS, could make Nigerian universities more competitive, thereby contributing to national development. He stressed that it was cheaper to get quality education in Nigeria and that the Federal Government was determined to provide quality education to its teeming youths.

The Executive Secretary noted that, out of 128 universities in the country, 50 were private and had impressively contributed to the development of the NUS. He further stated that the Government had embarked on building a critical mass for the NUS, through the Presidential Scholarship for Innovation and Development (PRESSID) scheme and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scholarship Awards. He said that out of the 101 PRESSID awardees, 13 were from a private university, attributing the feat to the stability in the academic calendar of private universities.

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The National Universities Commission (NUC), on Wednesday, 17 July, 2013, recognised Jigawa State University, Kafin Hausa, as the 39th state university and 129th in the country. The Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Mohammed Mahmud, who represented Governor Sule Lamido, received the letter of recognition from the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius A. Okojie, OON, at the NUC Secretariat. Presenting the letter, Professor Okojie remarked that, with the population of Nigerians seeking university education, more universities were needed to cater for the increasing number of applicants.

The Executive Secretary said that he was always delighted each time a new university was established, noting that tertiary education was crucial to human capacity development in any nation. He said that setting up a university was a big business and required thorough planning which some prospective owners failed to recognise, observing that some state and private universities found it difficult to pay salaries anytime there was adjustment in salary structure. He charged the Governor to be ready for the daunting task of running the University and to be sure the state had a clear vision of what it intended to achieve.

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The Governments of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo, with support from the World Bank, are launching the Regional African Centres of Excellence (ACE) Project for higher education.

The objective of the ACE Project is to promote regional specialisation among participating universities within areas that address particular regional development challenges and strengthen the capacities of these universities to deliver high quality training and applied research.

The project consists of two components; the first is to build capacity in competitively selected institutions to produce in-demand, high skilled, labour and applied research.

The second component will facilitate the regional impact and benefit of the strengthened African Centres of Excellence through talent and labour mobility and higher education services.

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The National Universities Commission has received a call circular from the British Council, inviting applications from interested and qualified young researchers for the British Council Researcher Links project. The programme is a new five-year project funded by the British Council, aimed at encouraging international research collaboration among ambitious young researchers from the United Kingdom and 18 other countries, including Nigeria.

The programme will provide opportunities for early career researchers from all disciplines in Nigeria and internationally to learn from each other and explore opportunities for building long-lasting research collaborations. British Council staff in its offices across six continents will work as catalysts to engage higher education institutions and encourage the ‘people to people’ interactions that form the most successful research collaborations. The Council will also use its networks and contacts to bring national funding partners into the initiative, and facilitate policy-level discussions on how to ensure sustainable future research collaborations.


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1. University of Abuja
2. Baze University, Abuja

3. Veritas University, Abuja
4. Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State.

5. African University of Science & Technology, Abuja
6. Nigerian-Turkish Nile University, Abuja

7. Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State
8. Nasarawa State University, Keffi

9. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
10. Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna

11. Kaduna State University
12. University of Jos

13. Plateau State University
14. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi

15. Bauchi State University
16. University of Agriculture, Makurdi

17. Benue State University
18. University of Mkar, Benue State

19. Taraba State University, Jalingo
20. Wukari Jubilee University, Wukari, Taraba State
21. Federal University Wukari, Taraba State

22. Salem University, Lokoja
23. Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State

24. Kogi State University
25. Al-Hikma University, Ilorin
26. University of Ilorin

27. Kwara State University
28. Federal University Of Technology, Minna

29. Ibrahim Babangida University, Niger State
30. Landmark University, Kwara State

31. Bayero University, Kano
32. Kano State University of Technology, Wudil
33. The Nigeria Police Academy, Kano

34. Northwest University, Kano
35. Gombe State University
36. Federal University Kashere, Gombe State

37. Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State
38. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State
39. Fountain University, Oshogbo, Osun State.

40. Osun State University, Oshogbo
41. Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State
42. Oduduwa University, Osun State
43. Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State

44. Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State
45. Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti
46. Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

47. Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State
48. Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State

49. Adamawa State University, Mubi
50. American University, Yola, Adamawa State

51. University of Maiduguri, Bornu State
52. Bukar Abba Ibrahim University, Damaturu, Yobe State

53. Federal University of Technology, Owerri
54. Imo State University.
55. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State
56. Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State.
57. Abia State University, Uturu

58. Federal University, Otuoke , Bayelsa State
59. Niger-Delta University, Bayelsa State

60. Caritas University, Amaoji-Nike, Enugu State
61. Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu State
62. University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State
63. Enugu State University of Technology


64. Renaissance University, Enugu State
65. Ebonyi State University
66. Evangel University, Ebonyi State
67. Federal University, Ndufe-Alike, Ebonyi State



68. Nnamdi Azikwe University,Awka, Anambra State
69. Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra State
70. Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State
71. Anambra State University of Science & Technology, Uli
72. Paul University, Awka, Anambra State

73. Usmanu Dan fodiyo University, Sokoto
74. Sokoto State University
75. Kebbi State University of Science & Technology

76. Umaru MusaYar'Adua University, Katsina State
77. Katsina Islamic University, Katsina
78. Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State

79. University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
80. Akwa Ibom State University
81. Obong University, Obong Ntak, Akwa Ibom State
82. University of Calabar, Cross Rivers State

83. Cross River University of Science & Technology
84. University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State
85. Rivers State University of Science & Technology
86. Rhema University, Rivers State
87. Rivers State University Of Education (Ignatius Ajulu University)

88. Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State
89. Bells University, Ota, Ogun State
90. University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State
91. Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State

92. Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State
93. Mcpherson University, Ogun State
94. Tai Solarin University Of Education, Ogun State
95. Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State.
96. Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State
97. Redeemers University, Mowe, Ogun State
98. Southwestern University, Ogun State

99. Lagos State University
100. University of Lagos
101. Pan African University, Lagos
102. National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos
103. CETEP City University, Lagos
104. Caleb University, Lagos


105. University of Benin, Edo State
106. Igbinedion University,Okada. Edo State
107. Wellspring University, Benin City, Edo State
108. Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State.
109. Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, Edo State
110. Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State

111. Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State
112. Federal University of Petroleum Resources.,Effurun, Delta State
113. Novena University, Ogume, Delta State.
114. Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State

115. Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State
116. Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State
117. Wesley University of Science & Technology, Ondo State
118. Ondo State University of Science & Technology, Okitipupa.
119. Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State
120. Elizade University, Ondo State

121. University of Ibadan, Oyo State
122. Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State
123. Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State
124. Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo State
125. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomosho

126. Federal University Gashua, Yobe State
127. Federal University, Bernin Kebbi, Kebbi State
128. Technical Universty, Ibadan

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The Honourable Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, OON, has announced the Federal Government’s approval of 180 as the minimum score for admission into Nigerian Universities and 150 for Polytechnics, Monotechnics and Colleges of Education (COEs) for the 2013/2014 academic session. She pronounced this on Tuesday, 18 June, 2013, at the Fourth Combined Policy Committee Meeting on Admissions into Degree, National Diploma, National Innovation Diploma (NID) and Nigeria Certificate in Education, held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) Secretariat, Abuja.

Professor Rufa’i commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the prompt release of the 2013 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results and for organising a successful Computer-Based Test (CBT), an optional and innovative online examination of candidates. She explained that, Government had to reduce the cut-off mark for Polytechnics and other Diploma-awarding institutions, as a way of encouraging students to enroll in the institutions.

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The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, made history, on Wednesday, 12 June, 2013, with the matriculation of 387 Cadets of the 64 Regular Course into various degree programmes. No fewer than 35, 000 candidates had applied for admission into the Academy.
The 387 included 36 females and 14 foreign Cadets from Benin Republic, Central Africa Republic (CAR) and Togo. A further breakdown showed that 142 Cadets were admitted into the Faculty of Engineering, 127 into the Faculty of Science and 118 in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

The Commandant, Major-General Chukwuemeka Onwuamaegbu, explained that Cadets, on admission, usually take the Oath of Allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria as required of all Armed Forces personnel and this was considered adequate in place of the Matriculation Oath. “However, since NDA provided both academic and military training to the cadets, it became necessary to distinguish the Oath of Allegiance, applicable to the Armed Forces, from the Matriculation Oath administered on fresh university students such as the Cadets.”

He further said that NDA recently subscribed to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) as a first step in the admission process. Besides meeting National Universities Commission (NUC) requirements, he said, subscribing to JAMB will, no doubt, further enhance the admission process into the Academy.

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The Honourable Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, OON, on Thursday, 13 June, 2013, presented the scorecard of the Ministry covering the last two years, at the 2013 Ministerial Platform/Scorecard of the Mid-Term Report of the present administration. Welcoming participants to the event, which was held at the Federal Ministry of Information, Radio House, Abuja, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, acknowledged the transformation efforts of the Ministry of Education, which included the establishment of more than 100 Almajiri schools in Northern Nigeria and the provision of funds, by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), for projects in various institutions of higher learning. In her presentation, the Minister of Education, who said her Ministry had already presented its mid-term reports to the President, conveyed the Federal Government’s desire and commitment to the restoration of the education sector.


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Vacancies for Odysseus Researchers on Higher
Education Governance, Ghent University, Belgium

The National Universities Commission (NUC) is in receipt of a call circular, for applications from interested and qualified candidates, for the Odysseus Research Projects on Higher Education Governance, funded by the Flemish Research Council, for five (5) years, at the
Department of Sociology, Ghent University, Belgium, for the following positions:

a) Three (3) Post-Doctoral Researchers
b) Three (3) PhD Students

The three (3) Post-Doctoral Research candidates should hold a PhD degree in the Social Sciences, preferably Sociology, Public Administration, Political Sciences/Educational Studies, or any equivalent degree.


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The Federal Government has approved the rehabilitation of all federal and state universities in the country. The Vice-President, Arc. Muhammed Namadi Sambo, GCON, disclosed this on Friday 24 May, 2013, at the combined public presentation of the 2012 Federal Ministry of Education (FME), Annual Report, 1st National Education Innovations Exhibition Report and the Report of the 3rd National Conference on Public Examinations, organised by the Ministry.

He said the approval was granted by the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, on Thursday 23 May, 2013, following the recommendation of the National Economic Council, in order to address the challenges of infrastructural decay in public universities.

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Ordinarily, the National Universities Commission (NUC) would not want to comment on a case that is in court, but it is left with no other choice, going by the way the story of an alleged bribery of the Executive Secretary, NUC, Professor Julius A. Okojie, OON, has gone viral. ‘EXPOSED’, one headline screamed.

The Commission took one Pius Nwachukwu and his wife, Chika, to court for operating an illegal university in Orozo, a border town between the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State, but in his defence, Nwachukwu claimed that he was issued a ‘TEMPORARY APPROVAL’ (a term that does not exist in NUC’s licensing regime) after giving Professor Okojie
N20, 000 to fuel his car. Infra dignitatem! (below the dignity of one's character).

According to online reports, Nwachukwu said “I have a PhD certificate in Theology from Temple University International, my Alma Mata, and I am the representative of the school in Nigeria.” This man, who the Executive Secretary has never met, told the court “Mr. Okojie, who is the Director General of the National Universities Commission gave me the approval based on the existing relationship we had for long.”

http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Universities-Commission/153655261473222

The attention of the National Universities Commission (NUC) has been drawn to some purported lists, making the rounds on the internet, of the ‘Top 100’ and ‘Top 50’ universities in Nigeria, which were alleged to be the outcome of a non-existing ‘annual university rankings’ by the National University Commission.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Universities-Commission/153655261473222

The Management of Cross River State University of Technology (CRUTECH), Calabar, recently expelled six students for their involvement in cultism, forceful initiation and possession of firearms. The affected students are: Victor William Arikpo, Ernest Obongha, Utum Innocent Ikpi, Ibiang Joseph, Anthony Okereke and Dominic Iyaji.


http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Universities-Commission/153655261473222

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has received a call circular for the 2014 UNESCO L’OREAL International Fellowship for Young Women in Life Sciences including Biology, Biochemistry,.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Universities-Commission/153655261473222?ref=stream&hc_location=stream