The Vice-Chancellor, Al-Hikmah University, Professor Noah Yusuf has highlighted some of his achievements and described the recent Ranking of the University among the world best as a great achievement and divine intervention.
Speaking with newsmen in Ilorin on Sunday at the end of his tenure, Prof Yusuf said he had earlier set up committee led by Prof Malomo of University of Ilorin and another one led by Prof Sunday Awe to position to institution for Ranking.
He said the inauguration of the two committees to work on the ranking of the institution had yielded fruitful result because before now the university was no where near any ranking local or international.
According to him, Al-Hikmah University today is Third in the North Central, 15th in Nigeria and among the 1,500 best Universities in the world ranking.
“The Kwara State Chamber of Commerce, Mines. Industry and Agriculture
(KWACCIMA) also recognised the institution as the first private university in the state.
“I am honored to have served as the Vice-Chancellor of this great institution, and I am proud of the progress we have made so far. When I assumed office, on July 13, 2020, I had a clear vision for the university – to establish it as a center of academic excellence, innovation, and character development.
“I express my gratitude to our founder, Alh. (Dr.) Abdulraheem Oladimeji, OFR, FNAEAP, fspsp for his vision and commitment to establishing this university. I also want to thank our staff, students, and parents for their dedication and contributions to the growth and development of the university.
“As hand over the reins to my successor, Prof Folorunsho Oladimeji, I am confident that Al-Hikmah University is well-positioned for continued growth and success.
“I urge all staff and students to remain committed to our core values of academic excellence, integrity, and community service, the University being the first Islamic Faith-based in Nigeria.
“Let us continue to work together to build a university that is renowned for its academic excellence, innovative research, and character development. Let us continue to inspire and empower our students to become leaders and change-makers in their communities,” Yusuf pleaded.
The outgoing VC said that the management has also repositioned the distance learning programme of the institution to meet global academic standard.
He said that today, the university can boast of outstanding road network, aesthetic designs, beautification of the environment at the three campuses in Atere, Adeta and Igbaja campuses.
The outgoing Vice-Chancellor listed other achievements of his administration to include
commencement of inaugural lectures – six lectures have been presented till date by eminent professors, inaddition to the commencement of Sabbatical leave – Three academic staff are currently on sabbatical leave in different Universities in Nigeria.
He explained that the University Strategic plan – A 5-year Strategic plan is currently in place (for the first time) for implementation.
On Staff welfare, Prof. Yusuf said a robust staff development programme is in place, which has resulted to over 50 academic staff completing their Ph.D programmes with the support of the management.
Further, the Governing Council of the University has also approved the promotion of five (5) academic staff to the Professorial rank of Reader in the last six months.
The VC disclosed that Al-Hikmah University had also established an International School, saying the school has secured the approval of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for its students to write both the senior and junior examinations.
He disclosed that the Annual Report – 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 Annual Report have been printed, while collation of reports for 2023/2024 is on-going.
The outgoing Vice-Chancellor said that all the 55 academic programmes being run by the University have secured NUC full accreditation status.
On welfare of students and support services, he said that the institution established a gym’s centre and also constructed a 5-aside football pitch at Adeta campus, among other sporting facilities in hostels.
The outgoing Vice-Chancellor said that he inaugurated an in-house committee on Research to boost research activities among the academic staff with a view to draw and access research grants.
Prof. Yusuf said that the Faculty of Agricultural production at Igbaja campus is in collaboration with FRIN on Green campus initiative, saying that the facilities at the campus is enough to make it another Al-Hikmah University of Agriculture, Igbaja by NUC standard.
“Currently, the University plantation at Igbaja is provided with irrigation to make for all-year farming possible with land that is over 100 hecters and fenced by the management.
He said that it was during his tenure that the management established the Centre for Peace and Security Studies, saying high profile graduating students from the centre included the current IGP, senior officers of the Nigerian Army and other Security agencies, Traditional Rulers, Ambassadors and other eminent personalities.
Yusuf said that the revival of the Alumni Association and their active involvement in University activities was also carried out, inaddition to establishment of inter-campus transportation, provision of sport equipment, among others.
He said that the management under him also emvarked on digitalization of academic and administrative activities to include:
– commencement of online promotion for both academic and non academic staff
– Online correspondence with Principal Officers.
– Embrace of blended learning modes.
The university also enbarked on collaborations and partnership with consortium of Kwara State Universities (KU8+) and the hosting of the 2nd KU8 International Conference between 6th and 9th August, 2024 and with:
– The Nigeria Police
– Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR)
– Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese
– Fountain University, Osogbo
– Amet University, India
– Lakeside University College, Accra Ghana
– Polygon University, Tunis
– South Mediterranean University, Tunis
– Centrale Universite, Tunis
“The University embarked on establishment of Al-Hikmah University Medical School. On the 15th December, 2024, we received NUC approval letter for the commencement of MB:BS programme with effect from the current 2024/2025 academic session.
He appealed to the Federal Government to make necessary amendments to TETFund law to be able to accommodate private universities, since they are contributing to educational development of the nation, saying it could be on a ratio of 70 to 30 per cent in favour of the public Universites.