..Vice Chancellor expresses satisfaction and commends members

The Committee for the establishment of Faculty of Environmental Science earlier set up by the Management of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai has submitted its report.

Receiving the Committee members in the Senate Chamber, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abu Karim Adamu, expressed satisfaction and profound appreciation for the diligent efforts in carrying out the assignment.

The committee’s presentation of its comprehensive report to the University Management, marks a significant milestone in the Institution’s academic development.

Professor Adamu lauded the Committee for its thorough work, noting that the report encapsulates the strategic vision and academic rigor required to establish the Faculty of Environmental Science.

He emphasized the importance of the new Faculty in addressing global environmental challenges aligning with the Institution’s commitment to producing graduates capable of making impactful contributions to society.

“The establishment of the Faculty of Environmental Science is a critical step forward for our university. It underscores our dedication to expanding academic horizons and responding to the pressing environmental issues of our time,” Professor Adamu stated.

He assured the Committee that the University Management would carefully review the report’s recommendations, particularly those concerning technical and financial assistance from international institutions, to ensure the successful establishment of the faculty.

It would be recalled that the Committee, which was inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abu Karim Adamu, on July 23, 2024, was tasked with advising the University on the establishment of the new Faculty.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Professor Mustapha Zubairu, highlighted the critical role the Faculty would play in the wake of recent Supreme Court pronouncements on local government financial autonomy.

He emphasized that environmental professionals would to be trained in the proposed Faculty and would be instrumental in providing technical assistance to states and local governments.

This support, he stressed, is vital to driving sustainable development and enabling local governments to operate on a self-sustaining basis.

Professor Zabairu further noted that the establishment of the Faculty of Environmental Science would enable the University to create a dedicated database that would be pivotal in tracking the development activities of state and local governments, ensuring that these activities are evidence-based and data-driven.

The Chairman emphasized that the Faculty was expected to establish a strong foundation for adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change. It will also facilitate access to climate finance, particularly carbon credits, to implement related projects and build equitable, socially inclusive, resilient, and self-sustaining communities.

The Committee made several key recommendations to ensure the successful launch and growth of the faculty.

Among these is a proposal for the University to seek technical and financial assistance from notable international institutions.

Specifically, the Committee suggested partnering with UN-Habitat in Nairobi, Kenya, the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the International Energy Agency in Paris, France, and the Japanese Government through JICA. To further enhance the faculty’s capacity and global visibility.

It also recommended that IBB University establishes partnerships with reputable universities such as MIT and Stanford University in the USA, as well as one university each in South Korea, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.

Professor Zubairu noted that the Faculty could benefit from the mentorship of the Faculty of Environmental Design at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the School of Environmental Technology at the Federal University of Technology, Minna. These partnerships would facilitate staff and student exchanges, joint research, and collaborative student projects.

The Committee also recommended that, as a graduation requirement, every student in the new Faculty should be proficient in at least one software relevant to their profession, while the Faculty should establish a reliable website linked to the IBBUL site and those of partner institutions, possibly utilizing Starlink internet services.

The Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, in a closing remarks, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Committee.

He commended the Committee for its exemplary dedication and professionalism.

Alhaji Kusherki emphasizes that the quality of the report reflected the high standards expected at IBBUL.

“The effort and expertise you have invested in the project are evident in the comprehensive nature of the report you have presented. It is a testimony of your unwavering commitment to the progress of our university,” he stated.

The Registrar acknowledged the challenges faced by the Committee during its deliberations and expressed his admiration for their ability to deliver such a thorough document within the set timeframe.

He assured the Committee that their recommendations would be given due consideration and that the University Management would work tirelessly to bring the vision of the Faculty of Environmental Science to fruition.