The National Universities’ Commission (NUC) has approved the commencement of 38 Postgraduate programmes and 16 additional undergraduate courses at the Sokoto state university.
The 39 programmes covered post graduate diplomas, Masters and PhDs in different disciplines.
A statement signed by the University’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Zayyanu Shehu, and issued to journalists on Saturday, in Sokoto, stated that the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sani Dangoggo, disclosed the development following a verification visit of the commission to the University.
According to him, the NUC conveyed its approval, in a letter dated Nov. 8 and signed by its Director of Academic Planning, Dr Noel Saliu, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed.
He said that the commencement of postgraduate programmes by the University, with effect from the 2021/2022 academic session, included M.Sc. Sociology, PhD Sociology, Postgraduate Diploma in Development Studies, Masters of Development Studies, Masters in International Relations and Strategic Studies.
Other approved courses are: M.Sc. Political Science, PhD Political Science, Postgraduate Diploma in Education, M.Ed. Educational Management, PhD Educational Management, M.Ed. Mathematics Education, M.Ed. Computer Science Education, PhD Mathematics Education, M.Ed. Physics Education and PhD Physics Education.
He further listed others to include: M. Ed. Biology Education, PhD Biology Education, M.Ed. Chemistry Education, PhD Chemistry Education, M.Ed. Guidance and Counselling, PhD Guidance and Counselling, M. A Islamic Studies, PhD Islamic Studies, M.A Arabic, PhD Arabic, M.A History, PhD History, M.A Hausa Studies and PhD Hausa Studies.
M.Sc. Mathematics, PhD Mathematics, M.Sc. Chemistry, PhD Chemistry, Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science, M.Sc. Computer Science, Postgraduate Diploma in Microbiology, M.Sc. Microbiology, Postgraduate Diploma in Biochemistry and M.Sc. Biochemistry, completed the list.
Shehu further said that 16 additional undergraduate programmes were approved for the University including, B.Sc. Plant Biology, B.Sc. Industrial Mathematics, B.Sc Information Technology, B.Sc. Statistics, B.Sc. Industrial Chemistry, B.Sc. Biotechnology, BA. (Ed) English Education; BA (Ed) History Education, B. Ed. Integrated Science; and B. Ed. Social Studies.
Others are, B.A. (Ed.) Arabic Education, B. A. (Ed.) Islamic Studies Education, B. A. (Ed.) Hausa Studies, B.Sc. (Ed.) Geography Education, B.Sc. (Ed.) Political Science and B.Sc. (Ed.) Education Economics.
The university’s Spokesman quoted Dangoggo as saying that the institution’s management was not surprised by the outcome of the visit, as more efforts were being made to make the institution enviable amongst its peers.
Established in 2009, he noted that it began academic activities in 2013 and at present offered 23 undergraduate programmes with full accreditation.
Shehu said that the Vice Chancellor thanked the commission for its continued efforts toward maintaining the standard of University education in the country.
“Dangoggo also appreciated Gov. Aminu Tambuwal for his commitment to uplift the standard of the University, in particular, and the education sector of the state as a whole,” according to Shehu.
Similarly, he extended his appreciation to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, Alhaji Nuhu Sanusi, Emir of Dutse and Chancellor of the University, for their various support to the growth and development of the University.