By Ebi Nieketien
The Delta State Government has outlined priorities for newly appointed Vice-Chancellors in the state owned universities as they prepare to take on the mantle of responsibility in moving the universities to greater heights.
The Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with The Pointer, stating that the immediate task before the incoming Vice-Chancellors was to increase the admission capacity of the institutions in line with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s vision to providing access to higher education for Deltans.
According to him, beyond expanding student intake, the state government was placing significant emphasis on enhancing the quality of teaching and learning across all universities.
In his words, “The first task is quite straightforward. The government wants the universities to expand and admit more students. Secondly, the government wants the quality of education and teaching to improve even further”.
Tonukari further noted that the government was also committed to ensuring that graduates were equipped with sufficient entrepreneurial skills that would enable them to become independent, especially in the absence of employment opportunities.
“Thirdly, as the Governor mentioned during the convocation at Dennis Osadebay University (DOU), the government wants graduates to leave the universities with sufficient entrepreneurial skills so that they can establish themselves if they do not immediately secure jobs” he said.
The commissioner also highlighted staff shortage as a major challenge facing the institutions. He revealed that although approval had been granted for recruitment at Southern Delta University, Ozoro, getting qualified professors, particularly in specialized and emerging fields, remains difficult.
He, however, assured that efforts were ongoing to source competent academic staff from across the country to strengthen and support the universities in achieving their mandate.
