By Waziri Isa Adam
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, community is abuzz with excitement as the most students-friendly Vice-chancellor, in the history of the ivory tower, Professor Adamu Ahmed, introduces and commences, today, a groundbreaking free lunch initiative with 100 students aimed at bridging the communication gap between the students and the university management.
The first of its kind in the University’s history, the “Lunch with the Vice-Chancellor” program, which kicks off today, promises to revolutionize the way students interact with the university administration.
One hundred students from diverse backgrounds and faculties will participate in the maiden edition of the program, which will feature the Vice-Chancellor having lunch with the students at Yusufu Bala Usman Hall. The students were selected through a Google form advertised to students for indication of interest, with the selection process designed to ensure fair and diverse representation.
The program will feature a keynote address by Muhtar Bakare, Chairman of The Alternative Bank, who will share his expertise on leadership and innovation. Prof. Sulaiman Abdullahi Karwai, a renowned scholar of business administration from ABU, will give a talk on leadership, providing valuable insights on effective leadership and communication.
Ambassador Shuaibu Ahmed, a Senior Partner at Ahmed Zakari and Company (Chartered Accountants), will be the Special Guest of Honour and Chairman of the Occasion. His presence will add weight to the program, highlighting the importance of collaboration and partnership between the university and the private sector.
The “Lunch with the Vice-Chancellor” program is one of the programmes that the students-friendly Vice-chancellor had for long envisaged to introduce if the opportunity to lead the university presented itself
By providing a platform for students to engage with the university management, the program demonstrates the Vice-chancellor’s dedication to listening to its students and responding to their needs.
The program is expected to have a positive impact on student-university management relations, contributing to a more collaborative and supportive academic environment. The university management hopes that the program will foster a deeper understanding between students and the university management, promoting a more inclusive and responsive academic environment.
The “Lunch with the Vice-Chancellor” program will be held four times a year, providing a regular platform for students to share their concerns, ideas, and suggestions with the Vice-Chancellor. With its commitment to student-centric policies and innovative approaches, ABU is poised to become a leader in higher education, providing a model for other institutions.