From Esther Akaa, Lafia
Registrars of Nigerian Universities have been charged to develop good working relationship with their vice chancellors, in order to produce competent graduates that can compete with their contemporaries across the globe.
The Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK), Prof. Suleiman Bala-Mohammed made the call on Thursday while declaring open the 17th retreat and 72nd business meeting of the Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU) held in Keffi Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, registrars must work assiduously with their vice chancellors and other management staff, in order to entrench academic cultures and traditions that will bring about 21st century universities that will produce graduates who are globally competitive.
The VC, who lauded the theme of the retreat and business meeting which is “Administering Nigerian Universities of the Future, Expectations and Drawbacks” said it was apt, especially considering the recent strike actions by different unions in the university.
“As long as strike actions are allowed to linger for so long, we will continue to trail behind other countries not just educationally but in terms of development.
“I hope through this retreat we will have robust discussion and critical analysis of the issues confronting us with a view to charting a sustainable future for Nigerian universities,” he said.
Also speaking, Emir of Keffi and Chancellor of NSUK, Dr Shehu Chindo-Yamusa said that success can only be achieved if both vice chancellors and registrars work as one unit to achieve one purpose.
“It is very worrisome to say that there are some few universities without established acrimony between registrars and their vice chancellors. Such ugly differences have affected quality assurance, vision and mission of the universities,” he said.
He, called on vice chancellors to see their registrars as partners in progress and not otherwise.
On his part, Chairman of ARNU, Dr Abubakar Mamuda said the meeting was aimed at bringing all registrars of Nigerian universities together on a platform that will promote ethical and best practice in the administration of Nigerian universities and the educational system in general.
“The global economy is passing through phases from industrial revolution to technological revolution and now social revolution.These changes are driven by innovations and research carried out by universities. Our task as universities managers is to understand these changes with a view to utilising them for the development of our universities to compete globally,” he noted.
Earlier, in a welcome remark, Registrar of NSUK, Mr Bala Ahmed, thanked the ARNU leadership for granting the hosting rights of the 2022 ARNU retreat and business meeting to NSUK and equally appreciated the NSUK VC for his total support in hosting the event.
He said that the meeting was aimed at exposing registrars to new trends in university administration and management, among others.
The Voice reports that over 100 registrars from different Nigerian Universities attended the 17th annual retreat and 72nd business meeting of ARNU, aimed at bringing them together on a platform to promote ethical conduct among them.