By Florence Ugbem
The out-going Vice Chancellor of the Benue State University, Prof. Msugh Kembe says his tenure secured national accreditation in postgraduate programmes as well as national and international accreditation for some courses. “About twenty postgraduate programmes out of which three have accreditation within and outside Nigeria,” he disclosed.
He said that some of the programmes he established included bachelors degree programmes in Nursing Science, Radiology and Radiation Science, Finance Marketing and Taxation stressing that the university in the last five years has improved the carrying capacity of students from 4,655 to 7,134 students.
He further disclosed that the university had a graduating output of 2,168 and academic staff strength of 715 against the previous 522 explaining that this has improved the staff to student ratio of 1.46 in 2015 and 1.37 in 2020.
The outgoing Vice Chancellor expressed happiness with the achievements recorded by him as administrator of the citadel of learning, stating that he not only promoted academic excellence through the introduction of scholarship schemes with over 2,000 beneficiaries but also had infrastructural facilities upgraded.
He further cited the construction of office complex for the Centre for Research Management, the construction and furnishing of the student centre, a female ultra-modern hostel ,student union secretariat, and the provision of a 288 bed capacity hostel at the western and eastern wing of the university in addition to the provision of ten well maintained and functional generating plants and a new library complex as among his achievements.
The former Vice Chancellor further mentioned the Centre for Food Technology and Research, CEFTER, which he disclosed received a boost in the last five years and has contributed to the university by admitting and graduating students from outside Nigeria.
In the area of ICT development, Prof Kembe disclosed that the construction of JAMB standard Computer Based Test Centre for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registration centre, the development of a vibrant Centre for Entrepreneurial programmes, and the provision of basic utility equipment were part of his achievements.
He observed that insufficient funds was a major challenge in the discharge of his responsibility and should be addressed in order for the University to achieve her vision and mission in the society.
Prof Kembe thanked the Almighty God for the privilege to serve and expressed appreciation to the university’s visitor and Benue sSate Governor, Samuel Ortom for his immense support and contributions to his successful tenure.
He further appreciated the Chairman, Benue State University Governing Council, Prof Zachary Gundu, the senate of the university, staff and students for their support, commitment and dedication which he said contributed to his success.
The occasion was a press briefing held Thursday last week at the Senate Chambers, Benue State University.
Kembe counts achievements in BSU
