By Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – The Entrepreneurship programme offered in the Kaduna State University, (KASU) is one step ahead of other universities across the country.
The Vice Chancellor, of KASU Professor Abdullahi Musa, disclosed this at the 2024 KASU Alumni Reunion Lectures and Recognition/Award Ceremony with the theme: “Empowering the Future Generations: The Role of University Alumni Associations in Fostering Entrepreneurship and Turning Students into Job Creators” in Kaduna on Friday.
Prof Musa averred that over the last one year a lot has been done to come up with a comprehensive strategic plan of the university, and one key focal point in the strategic initiative is to reposition KASU in line with best global practices.
“We have made a lot of leeway in terms of restructuring our curriculum in line with the 21st Century skills acquisition programme and we were able to capture this under the title: Entrepreneurship.
“The entrepreneurship of KASU is like no other entrepreneurship programme in other universities across the country because we have gone one step ahead of others. We focus on start-up ventures for our students as well as the traditional skills acquisition programme,” Prof Musa added.
Also speaking, the Pro Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of KASU, Mallam Husseini Dikko, assured of the Council’s full support to the VC and his Management team in making the university one of the best in the country.
He noted that in order to ensure KASU progresses, there is need for collaboration with parties outside the government, and one of such parties identified is the university alumni. “We can leverage upon the university alumni for collaboration to develop our strategy which is to make KASU one of the best in Nigeria, Africa and indeed the world,” he said.
Guest Lecturer and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) KASU, Prof Yusha’u Ango, said Nigeria today faces quite a number of challenges which could only be met if it has innovative, well educated and entrepreneurial citizens.
According to him, alumni associations hold a unique position because they are mentors, role models, and sources of inspiration; the university could leverage on their influence to guide and empower students in their entrepreneurial journey.
Prof Ango said while the role of universities is crucial, the significant impact alumni can have on forstering entrepreneurship among current students can not be overemphasize.
“Alumni with their success stories and practical insights, serve as powerful role models for students considering entrepreneurial paths.
“The positive influence of alumni, mentorship, networking, and financial support can encourage students to embark in entrepreneurial ventures,” he said.
Earlier in his address, National President, KASU Alumni, Abdulhadi Abdullahi, said the reunion serves as an opportunity for members to reconnect, share experiences, and forster networking among themselves.
He added that the event will also provide a platform for members to reminisce about their time at the university and contribute to the growth and development of their alma mater.
Mallam Abdullahi therefore appealed to the Kaduna State Government to consider adopting a method of retention of the best students in various departments as lecturers after graduation, which he said is a global practice in universities across the globe. “This will not only encourage academic excellence but also build confidence in the quality of graduates produced by the university,” he said.
Highlights of the event includes presentation of awards, launch of alumni website. An awardee, Mrs. Mary Olubode a.k.a ‘Maman Sera’, touted for her unwavering support to the Alma Mater especially for her “free food gestures” to students was honoured as the Pioneer food seller in KASU.