The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Kabir Bala, said in Zaria on Friday, said that plans are afoot to launch an endowment for the sustainability of the University.
Receiving a report of the Committee on Upgrade of University Laboratories at the Council Chamber, the Vice-Chancellor explained that establishment of an endowment fund in universities remained the best practice around the globe.
Prof Bala also said world’s renowned universities such as MIT, Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge, heavily survived on well-established endowments.
He said these leading universities hardly relied on the government for funding because they had sufficient funds and other needed resources to operate unhindered.
The Vice-Chancellor in a statement by Public Affairs Directorate, said, stressed the importance of visiting job in universities, saying Harvard University, for example, had more visiting lecturers than tenure academics.
He said with the recent termination of appointment of contract staff, ABU found that eight of its academic departments could not continue without such staff.
The Vice-Chancellor, who stressed the importance of mentorship in the academic community, also said all hands must be on deck to upgrade all research laboratories to enhance teaching and research in the University.
Prof Bala, who looked elated by the Committee’s report, also commended members of the Committee for good job and for turning in the report before schedule.
Submitting the report to the Vice-Chancellor, Chairman of the Committee, Prof Y K E Ibrahim, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for the confidence reposed on them.
Other members of the Committee present at the report presentation included Prof Sani Ibrahim, Department of Biochemistry; Prof S O Shittu, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Prof Inuwa Shehu Usman, Department of Plant Science; and Prof M I Umar-Buratai, Department of Theatre and Performing Arts.
They also included Prof Ikemefuna Mbamali, Department of Building; Prof Jonathan S Mari, Department of Science Education; Dr Amoka A Abdelmalik, Equipment Maintenance and Development Centre and Barrister J A Dabo who served as Secretary.
