Gowon Varsity Making Steady Progress, Says VC

Acting vice chancellor of the Yakubu Gowon University, formerly known as the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), Prof. Patricia Manko Lar, has disclosed that the institution under her leadership is recording tangible impacts.

She said the impacts range from academic reforms and infrastructure boosts to governance overhauls and student-centered initiatives, all of which have shaped the university’s direction since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed her.

Through her media aide, Mrs. Deborah Itabila, she said: “Prof. Lar not only reshuffled the Academic Quality Assurance Office, tasked with assessing academic quality and standards, but also embarked on innovative examination practices, including the introduction of PowerPoint for lectures and examinations in the Faculty of Clinical Sciences.

“This was observed during the monitoring of 500-level MBBS examinations and has enhanced academic assessment, culminating in the timely submission of examination results.

“Prof. Lar has also improved the quality of student examinations, which are now conducted without hitches due to lecturers’ improved commitment to teaching within the approved texts and measurement standards, leading to a general improvement in student performance. In addition, the Acting Vice Chancellor has prioritised the welfare of staff and students by ensuring that staff who were denied promotion for years are now assessed and promoted accordingly.”

On industrial partnerships and projects, Prof. Lar, who is passionate about public-private partnerships, has attracted several corporate bodies and signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for the construction of hostels, research and agricultural facilities, and entrepreneurship hubs.

“YGU, under Prof. Lar’s leadership, has also attracted funding from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to equip laboratories in the biomedical sciences and engineering departments with state-of-the-art research and diagnostic facilities. As a reputable global scientist, Prof. Lar is committed to boosting the global ranking of Yakubu Gowon University through cutting-edge research.”