The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bamenda Professor Theresa Nkuo-Akenji, is on a working visit to the USA. She will be having a working session with Cameroonians on Saturday, August 20th, 2016 at 11am prompt at VIKING CENTER, 15212 Dino Drive, Burtonsville, MD 20866. According to her release, the following will be discussed.
– Formation of a fundraising committee to coordinate fundraising for the University of Bamenda Development Fund (UBaDEF).
– Explore collaborations between US Universities and UBa including possible accreditations.
– Teaching, Research and staff / student exchange development programs.
It should be recalled that the University of Bamenda was created by Presidential Decree No. 2010/371 of 14 December 2010. It inherited the structures of the Cameroon College of Arts, Science and Technology (CCAST) and former ENSAB. The University created with eleven (11) Establishments in just five (5) years has today ten (10) Establishments that are operational.
The estimated space available is 669 hectares. BaretaNews learned the enrolment of the University has grown from 5600 students in 2011 to 16000 in 2016 representing a growing rate of almost 25% per year, Unfortunately, the architectural and infrastructural development do not match student enrollment capacity.
Although new infrastructure (Pedagogic Block C, Students’ Hostel, University Restaurant) have been realized through the PRO-ACTP programme initiated by the Ministry of Higher Education, more lecture halls are needed for effective teaching considering a large number of courses offered. The inadequate number of lecture halls limits the ability of the university to train students in the BMD (Bachelor-Master-Doctorate) system- the Vice-Chancellor noted.
Insufficient lecture halls, offices and a very deficient teaching staff hamper the quality of teaching and supervision. There is, therefore, an urgent need to put in place additional infrastructure, equipment, and personnel to improve the quality of teaching and research. While the public expectations and ambitions are enormous for our university, it is necessary to bring awareness to the above constraints.
With the economic malaise, it is foolhardy to expect that only the State will come up with new investments on our campus in the future. That is why we are embarking on setting up a University of Bamenda Development Fund (UBaDEF). Through the Board of UBaDEF, parents, friends of UBa and the general public will be called upon to contribute financially to ensure quality education for our children who will be intellectual citizens tomorrow and equally ensure the well-being of the nation in all spheres. We are appealing to you to help us make The UBa a reliable University of the Future- The Vice-Chancellor concluded.
For those in the USA who will like to help and participate you can get to her through her US contact number 269 209 2599 for a possible corporation. Let us build our university to acceptable levels.
BaretaNews salutes the Vice-Chancellor for taking such a trip. These are the types of trips needed to enhance the development of our people
God is still saying something.
