ABU ZARIA ALUMNI: FCT chapter holds award night

The vice chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Prof. Kabir Bala,  appreciates ABU alumni, FCT chapter for contributions and supports towards the university.  Prof. Bala in an interview reflected on his tenure’s progress, the university’s relationship with its alumni, and his vision for the future of the institution.  The vice chancellor also shed light on […]

The vice chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Prof. Kabir Bala,  appreciates ABU alumni, FCT chapter for contributions and supports towards the university. 

Prof. Bala in an interview reflected on his tenure’s progress, the university’s relationship with its alumni, and his vision for the future of the institution. 

The vice chancellor also shed light on key projects that he  holds dear, his strategic initiatives, and the role of the university’s alumni in sustaining ABU’s legacy and enhancing its impact.

Speaking on the 2024 Alumni Lecture, Dinner, and Award Night, the VC noted that it is a significant event aimed at recognizing alumni who have contributed positively to society. 

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According to Prof. Bala, this event marks a new chapter in the relationship between the university and its alumni association.

Reflecting on the history of the university’s relationship with its alumni, Prof. Bala spoke about the challenges that existed prior to the current alumni executive taking office. He noted that there were past frictions between the university management and the alumni leadership. However, since the new alumni President assumed office, there has been a marked shift in tone, with a focus on collaboration and mutual respect.

“The Alumni President came with a clear mission to resolve any issues and strengthen the bond between the alumni and the university,” Prof. Bala explained. 

“He extended an olive branch, and we seized the opportunity to mend the relationship. Since then, our interactions have been very cordial, and we’ve worked together to recognize the achievements of our alumni.”

This mutual respect has led to significant steps toward promoting the university’s ethos of excellence, especially through the Alumni Award Night. “The idea of recognizing alumni who have served their communities and excelled in their fields is in line with what we’ve always believed in at ABU — celebrating excellence. We’ve been doing this through various initiatives like sending congratulatory letters to our alumni and occasionally visiting them at their places of work,” Prof. Bala added.

Also, the vice chamcelor noted that one of the  roles of ABU’s alumni is supporting the university’s endowment fund. Prof. Bala emphasized that alumni are pivotal to the sustainability of any institution, especially in a country like Nigeria, where funding for higher education often falls short. 

“Alumni are the backbone of any university’s endowment, and this event is a great opportunity to engage them. The university’s endowment fund is relatively new and, for the first time, it has been formalized. We need to cultivate a culture of contributing to the endowment, even if it’s just a small amount. Whether it’s one naira or a million, every contribution matters.”

Prof. Bala explained that the university had struggled in the past with the concept of endowments, as it is not as ingrained in Nigerian culture as it is in Western countries. However, with initiatives like the Alumni Award Night, the hope is to inspire alumni to give back to their alma mater. He further highlighted that while bulk donations from corporations or individuals have traditionally supported universities in Nigeria, the alumni fund provides a sustainable way for past graduates to contribute continuously to their university’s growth.

“We’ve created an opportunity for alumni to contribute at their own pace and capacity,” Prof. Bala stated. “This gathering can be a springboard for raising the necessary funds and fostering an enduring relationship with our alumni.”

Another key issue raised was the proposed Center for Reproductive Health, a project that Prof. Bala has championed since assuming office. Inspired by the increasing prevalence of fertility challenges faced by young couples, the Vice Chancellor outlined his vision for what was initially conceived as a fertility center but later expanded into a more comprehensive center for reproductive health.

“The idea emerged from the growing number of young couples struggling with fertility issues, a trend that we see more and more,” Prof. Bala explained. “With the advances in assisted reproductive technologies, it made sense to create a center where people could access state-of-the-art services.”

Although the center’s designs have already been completed, Prof. Bala admitted that securing funding for the project has been a major hurdle. To date, efforts to secure financial support from government bodies, private sector organizations, and individuals have not yielded the necessary results. However, Prof. Bala expressed optimism that the Alumni Dinner could serve as a turning point in the search for funding.

 

“If the alumni can contribute to this project, it will be a monumental success,” he said. “This is a vital project that could transform many lives, and we are hopeful that it will come to fruition.”

Prof. Bala’s tenure has seen several significant accomplishments, especially in terms of institutional development, infrastructure, and policy reforms. One of the Vice Chancellor’s proudest achievements is the creation and revision of important administrative and policy documents within the university. 

“For many years, some key documents, such as the ICT policy, were either outdated or simply didn’t exist. One of my key goals was to establish sound policies that would provide a solid foundation for the university,” he remarked. “Today, we have a comprehensive ICT policy, which sets clear guidelines for the university’s digital transformation.”

Another significant achievement has been the revision of ABU’s master plan, which had remained unchanged for 42 years. Prof. Bala explained that it was crucial to update the master plan to reflect the university’s current needs and future aspirations. Additionally, the university’s statutes, which govern its operations, have been revised to accommodate new faculties and programs such as the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB).

“Under our leadership, we’ve ensured that every aspect of the university is guided by law and policy. We’ve also revised the academic brief, which had not been completed since 1989, and based on that, we’ve developed a five-year strategic plan for the university’s growth,” Prof. Bala added.

Another area where Prof. Bala’s leadership has made a notable impact according to him is in the protection of university assets. In recent years, there have been several cases of encroachment on ABU’s land, particularly around its staff residential areas. Through legal action, Prof. Bala’s administration has successfully won cases to protect the university’s property, including a long-standing court case that lasted 20 years.

 

“We’ve been proactive in protecting the university’s properties, and we now have a comprehensive inventory of all our assets. Ensuring that these properties remain secure is vital for the university’s long-term stability,” Prof. Bala said.

Prof. Bala also discussed the university’s improvement in global rankings. When he took office, ABU’s rankings were relatively low, but significant strides have been made to enhance the institution’s visibility and academic reputation. 

“We’ve worked hard to improve the quality of education, research, and visibility. While we are not yet at the very top, we’ve made substantial progress in recent years. The most recent rankings reflect this, and we hope to continue improving,” Prof. Bala noted.

Looking to the future, Prof. Bala emphasized the importance of completing the ongoing infrastructure projects at ABU, particularly in the College of Medical Sciences, where two new faculties have been established. He also highlighted efforts to provide more accommodation for students, particularly female students, with new hostel facilities currently under construction on the main campus and at the teaching hospital.

“As a university, we are committed to providing the best facilities for our students, and that includes safe and comfortable housing. We will continue to prioritize projects that improve the student experience,” he said.