BY RITA OYIBOKA
THE Vice Chancellor of the University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor, Professor Stella Chiemeke has disclosed that the institution is set to roll out postgraduate programmes soon, as part of its expansion and academic growth plans.
She made this known during an exclusive interview with The Pointer in her office, Agbor where she also revealed that the university was preparing to graduate approximately 1,500 students at its forthcoming convocation ceremony.
Prof Chiemeke explained that the postgraduate programmes would commence once the first set of students graduate, noting that documentation was already in progress. However, she acknowledged that the current land space poses a challenge for the planned expansion.
To address this, the university has secured an additional expanse of land from the people of Mbiri. “We’re waiting for Council approval as to which programmes go where. But I know that if we start postgraduate programmes, there won’t be a land problem,” she added.
Beyond physical expansion, the Vice Chancellor highlighted significant curriculum reforms aimed at producing job creators rather than job seekers.
She explained that following the National Universities Commission (NUC) move from BMAS (Benchmark Minimum Academic Standard) to CCMAS (Core Curriculum Minimum Ac a demi c Standard) in 2024, the university now runs a curriculum comprising 70 per cent core theory and 30 per cent practical local content.
“All schools must run Entrepreneurship Development courses: first semester theory, second semester practical. By 200/300 level, students must have learnt one or two skills, which enhance their certificate,” she said.
The university has also partnered with the University of Lincoln to strengthen practical entrepreneurship training.
“First semester, all theory; Lincoln gives practical knowledge a whole semester, and they award certificates. Recently, 100 of our students got certificates in digital marketing from Lincoln via Zoom,” she added.
“Additionally, the university is finalizing a partnership with the Swedish Embassy, facilitated by the Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, to start a new entrepreneurship programme in the coming academic session.
“Students won’t just learn theory but get practical skills, cake design, event management, digital marketing, etc. Already, many are doing content creation on TikTok and earning money. By graduation, many won’t look for jobs; they’ll be job creators,” she noted.
