Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, has stated that the institution is ready to begin the Geology and Mining program in the 2023/2024 academic session.
Professor Na’Allah stated this in Abuja during the second anniversary of the University of Abuja’s relationship with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
According to a statement made available to our correspondent on Wednesday, the Vice Chancellor stated that the new academic program was jointly implemented by the University and ACCI as part of the benefits of the partnership, and that the move would also ensure the exploration of the vast mineral resources on the UNIABUJA campus.
While the university is utilizing its enormous human and mineral resources to lure enterprises and investors to campus, the Vice-Chancellor stated that mineral exploration in practice and research will benefit students and academic staff greatly.
Concerning the institution’s readiness to begin Geology and Mining, the VC stated that a committee formed by the University and ACCI was going above and beyond to assure the program’s success.
“Our goal is that a new department of Geology and Mining will take-off in this campus in the 2022 / 2023 academic year, which will (be) April or May,” he said.
In addition, Professor Na’Allah praised ACCI for the collaboration, stating that the agreement has resulted in numerous success stories since its implementation.
He stated that some University students are now undergoing internships and the Student’s Industrial Work Experience Scheme program in industries under ACCI, and that the two entities have been working on strategic areas that will benefit the country as a whole.
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“There are so many more programs we’re looking at, and one of them is the agric park; the chamber and the University are working hard on it, and we’re hoping it takes off soon,” the VC stated.
Professor Na’Allah stated that investors stand to gain a lot by coming to the University, which is only 10 minutes away from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and about 25 minutes drive from the Abuja Central Business District, and that the move to designate the UniAbuja as a free trade zone would also be a major boost for prospective investors.
“We have began the process of converting the entire campus and declaring it an economic free zone by the Federal Government,” the VC added.
Dr. Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, President of ACCI, said the occasion highlighted the value of the institutions’ relationship and the accomplishments it has achieved.
“Today’s event is meant to honor the relationship of the two institutions, evaluate activities of the year 2022, and discuss proposed activities for the following year,” Abubakar remarked, represented by ACCI Vice President Kolawole Owoka.
“The relationship between the two institutions that has climaxed into a magnificent union started with the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in mid-2021 at the Vice Chancellor’s Conference Room. The Memorandum of Understanding enables both parties to train a competent workforce, businesses, and educational institutions to maintain our nation’s competitiveness and economic strength in response to a fast changing and increasingly competitive globe.
“In the MoU, both ACCI and UofA agreed to collaborate in the following areas: research, training, capacity building, and continuing education, workshops and conferences, executive and regular MBAs, skills development, technology and knowledge transfer, trade fairs and expos, preparation of curriculum and modules for specialized trainings, policy advocacy, and so on.”
The ACCI president, who expressed satisfaction that the partnership has been friendly and mutually beneficial, advocated for further deeper collaboration between the Chamber as a business community and UNIABUJA as an academic institution to accelerate national development.
He, however, urged UniAbuja to facilitate the transition of the connection from an MoU to a legal partnership in investment-related industries for the mutual advantage of both sides, noting that the ACCI has already begun work on the deal.
“So far, we have commenced the placement of students under the SIWES programme in member companies, participated in the referral of an Industry expert to provide lectures for students of the University during the Global Entrepreneurship week, and commenced planning for the development of key infrastructure of learning at the University amongst others.
“We have also participated in significant activities of both our institutions, such as the trade fair, activities of the university’s school of legislative studies, the undergraduate research day, and the inaugural edition of the global entrepreneurship week,” Abubakar added.
The Director General of ACCI, Victoria Akai, stated in a statement that UniAbuja and the Chamber had developed a distinctive partnership between industry and academia that is expected to fulfill 21st-century global standards.
“What we have come to celebrate today is a connection that will provide a conducive climate for entrepreneurship and creativity,” said the Director General. It would promote the growth and development of strategic sectors within a learning environment by exposing students to real-world industry requirements for their programmes of study.”
