By Waziri Isa Adam
The Vice Chancellor of Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Prof. Mohammed Khalid Othman, has reiterated his commitment to the full implementation of his 5-Point Agenda for the growth and development of the University.
Prof. Othman made the commitment at an interactive session he held with the Chairman and Members of the Committee of Provosts, Deans and Directors (CDD) at the Senate Chambers, Main campus.
The 5-point Agenda of the new Vice Chancellor includes Intensifying in the quest for more Internally Generated Revenue (IGR); Creation of Centre for the Studies of Hausa Language and Culture; Enhancement of Security; Institution of Transparency and Accountability, and Capacity Building for both Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff.
According to the Vice Chancellor, his management had already conducted a staff audit with the aim of re-alligning the ratio of teaching and non-teaching staff.
“All the non-teaching staff with desirable higher teaching qualifications, especially the Technologists, would be redeployed and redesignated to the teaching cadre”, he said, stressing that “the aim is to redress the shortage we are experiencing in critical programmes and departments”.
Prof. Othman disclosed that the management “plans to institute a mentor-mentee system”, saying under the scheme, “all Graduate Assistants, Assistant Lecturers and Lecturers II, would be assigned to the Senior Lecturers and above, with the view to proper mentoring”.
He also disclosed plans “to merge some Directorates and Centres to not only avoid duplicity, but to enhance effectiveness”.
According to him, “University administration should not be seen as a source of patronage, but as a service to all stakeholders and the larger society “.
He said any Directorate or Centre in any institution “must contribute significantly to the attainment of the institution’s goals and objectives”.
Prof. Othman noted with delight, “the smooth movement to the Main campus thus far”, attributing the development to “the support and cooperation of all the stakeholders, particularly the security agencies and traditional rulers”.
While calling for continuation in that regard, the Vice Chancellor disclosed plans to move most faculties, departments and the central administration by the next Academic Session, saying “students hostels currently lying idle at the Main campus, are undergoing major rehabilitation, preparatory to the movement”.
He said only a few facilities and departments are to be left to continue operating in the Take-off campus.
According to him, “the Main campus of the University, with monumental edifices and facilities put in place”, coupled with the Solar power project capable of providing enough electricity to the campus and surrounding villages, “is conducive for teaching, learning, research and community service”.
He said the University management, under his leadership, “intends to utilise all available facilities on both campuses, to change FUDMA’s narrative for the better”.
On the earlier decision to disburse monthly imprest to the faculties, directorates, departments and centres as at when due, the Vice Chancellor assured that “the Bursary is working assiduously to address the issue”, adding that “the payment of responsibility allowance to all deserving officers would also be addressed as soon as the 2026 budget is passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President”.
Participants at the meeting, attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Suleiman; the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Elizabeth Ihugh Yecho; the Registrar, Dr. Musa Ajiya; the Bursar, Abubakar Muhammad Gafai; the University Librarian, Dr. Ukashatu Hamza Musa; Provosts, Deans and Directors, interacted freely and discussed a wide range of issues and challenges confronting the University.
They also offered possible solutions on the way forward for the growth and development of FUDMA.
At the end, the interactive session ended on a note of renewed commitment by all the attendees, to re-dedicate themselves to the task ahead, of taking the University to greater heights.