Prof. Maimako Executes 125 Projects in Four Years

Prof. Maimako Executes 125 Projects in Four Years

By Genius Nanfa

Prof. Sebastian Maimako, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, on Friday, 26th June, 2020 has highlighted that within his four years in office has embarked on 125 infrastructural developments within the University with about 90 projects fully completed and put to use.

It would be recall that the infrastructural deficit had been a major challenge for the university for a long time; however, that story changed from the time of Prof. SS Maimako assumed office as the Vice-Chancellor of the University on 23rd June, 2016. The University has become a hub of infrastructural development with several projects springing up on the various campuses.

The University Don emphatically highlights that at the 2019 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Admissions in Nigeria held recently, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) rated the University of Jos as the 7th most subscribed University in Nigeria with 46,082 candidates applying for admission in the 2018 exercise with 8,878 candidates were admitted into the University.

Sequel to this, JAMB ranked the University of Jos as the 4th best among Nigerian Tertiary Institutions that had admitted candidates from all the 36 States and the FCT following the 2018 admissions exercise.

The Vice Chancellor reiterates that the University of Jos was also rated as the 5th best Tertiary Institution in the Country in terms of the number of candidates admitted from the 36 States and FCT with 31 States having not less than 20 candidates admitted into the University during that exercise.

It is noteworthy that only University of Jos and University of Ilorin are not first generation Universities rated among the top five (5) Universities in that category.

He said that despite the huge success the institution has recorded so far, it has been  confronted with several challenges along the way , " The issue of security has continued to be a source of concern with the increased demand to protect lives and properties of the University's hardworking staff and Students but without the commensurate financial resources to adequately and comprehensive do so ."

"The University's internal security personnel have been undergoing training on relevant methods of public safety administration in addition to being provided with the requisite equipment to enhance their Job performance levels such equipments include Walkie Talkies, Close Circuit Television (CCTV), torchlights and uniform among others.

He said that the institution has also installed street lights at the various campuses to assist the security personnel on night duty.

"The phase two acquisition and encroachments on the land earlier earmarked for the University's development as well as ecological issues have also posed a daunting challenge, there has been an ongoing dialogue with key stakeholders to revert the land to its original purpose while efforts are also being intensified to ensure that substantial parts of the University land affected by erosion are reclaimed before proceeding with further development."

The Vice Chancellor further said that the Institution has continued to established linkages and affiliations with International with partners towards creating a global presence and strengthening the promotion of international academic and cultural cooperation.

"The University was awarded a full Fabrication laboratory (FABLAB) by the government of France through the France Research Team in May 2020."

"The FABLAB is to be domiciled at the faculty of Engineering with a mechanical workshop to enable local fabrication of some equipment that will assist local artisans and will be useful for laboratory practical."

"The University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding MOU with Universities of Lyon and Grenoble  Alpes to strengthen Human resource capacity, research and development.

Prof. Maimako stressed that in order to harness and exploit the vast potentials inherent in the University Alumni, a platform has been provided by which alumni, their activities and relationship with their alma mater can be made more visible and viable.

He thanked the Principal officers, staff of the institution for their support since he assumed office as Vice chancellor .