From Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State University, Bokkos (PLASU), has achieved a significant milestone with the approval of six new academic programs, underscoring its commitment to expanding educational opportunities.
The announcement was made by the Acting Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the university’s Senate, Professor Shedrack Gaya Best, during the institution’s 92nd regular Senate meeting held on January 10, 2025.
The newly approved programs include degrees in Medical Sciences (MBBS), Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharm D.), Statistics (B.Sc.), and Religious Studies (B.A.), alongside professional accreditation for Law and Nursing Sciences.
The approvals came from the National Universities Commission (NUC), which had conducted resource verification visits to evaluate the university’s readiness for the programs last year.
The Law program also received clearance from the Council of Legal Education, while the Nursing Science program was endorsed by the Nursing Council.
Professor Best attributed these achievements to the support of Plateau State Governor Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, who he described as instrumental in driving the university’s progress.
“The result is that now we have gotten approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for all of these programs,” he stated.
The Acting Vice Chancellor also expressed gratitude to the regulatory authorities for aligning with the state government’s vision for PLASU.
He reiterated the university management’s commitment to staff welfare, emphasizing that a harmonious academic environment is key to maintaining a stable academic calendar.
“As long as it is within the purview of the university and the management, there is nothing of a welfare nature that belongs to any union that this management is sitting on,” Professor Best said.
He appealed for patience regarding delays in implementing the new national minimum wage for university staff, explaining that negotiations with state officials were ongoing.
“It is a process, and while it has commenced for civil servants, the university operates outside the civil service framework. However, we are making every effort to resolve this,” he assured.
In other developments, the Senate received updates on the resumption of academic activities following the Christmas and New Year holidays. Measures to enhance campus security were also discussed, including issuing identification cards and granting access to hostel accommodations for eligible students.
With the introduction of these new programs, PLASU continues to cement its reputation as a center of academic excellence while fostering a secure and conducive learning environment for its community.