23rd May, 2015
The Federal Government has approved the establishment of two specialised universities, President Goodluck Jonathan has said..
Speaking at the 31st convocation of the Bayero University, Kano on Saturday, Jonathan said the universities were the Marine University and the Federal University of Health Sciences.
Jonathan, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okoje, said the decision was borne out of the government’s desire to give more students with the requisite qualifications the opportunity to access quality education.
He said that in spite of the numerous challenges, the Federal Government would continue to support the education sector to empower the youth.
“Let me reiterate that university education worldwide is the bedrock of national development and integration.
“In terms of access, we have continued to create room for large number of qualified candidates seeking admission into universities,” he said.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, said a total of 8,875 students graduated from 12 faculties for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 academic sessions.
He said that out of the number, 3,638 graduated with first degrees, 1,823 graduated with post graduate diploma, 3,146 had Masters degrees, while the remaining 84 were Ph.Ds.
The university also conferred emeritus professorships on five distinguished academics for their contributions to the growth and development of intellectualism in the university.