Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) is evaluating and reviewing its curricula as part of effort to strengthen all its academic programmes as well as improve student learning experiences, the Institution’s Director of Academic Planning and Monitoring, Prof. Yahaya Makarfi Ibrahim, said in Zaria at the weekend.
Prof. Makarfi spoke at a one-day Train-the-Trainer Workshop on Curriculum Development and Review put together by the Directorate in conjunction with School of Postgraduate Studies, Ahmadu Bello University.
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The workshop, which drew participants from all the academic departments of the University and many other guests, was essentially to equip the participants with the requisite knowledge and skills to successfully conduct a comprehensive curriculum review of all the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Prof. Olubumni Abayomi Omotesho of University of Ilorin presented the lead paper, ‘Curriculum Development and Review Process’, which would ultimately guide discussions at the workshop.
In his introductory remarks, the Director, Directorate of Academic Planning and Monitoring, Prof. Yahaya Makarfi Ibrahim, said that the imperative for the curriculum review was to prepare students to compete favourably among their peers in the global landscape.
“Considering the dynamic nature of our world today, universities must continually examine the quality and relevance of the knowledge and skills they desire to impart to their students”, he said.
The National Universities Commission (NUC), according to him, provided the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standard (BMAS) as the minimum standard of knowledge to be delivered on all academic programmes.
“As I speak to you now, the NUC is undertaking a review of this BMAS. While the BMAS provides minimum acceptable standards, we must strive to surpass its provision by constantly evaluating our curricular in line with developments across the globe”, Prof. Makarfi also said.
He explained that it was on the strength of this that the Institution’s Directorate of Academic Planning and Monitoring as well as School of Postgraduate Studies had come up with the curriculum review workshop.
This, he further stated, would help the University identify gaps and weaknesses in its programmes with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of its curricula and continually improving student learning experiences.
Prof. Makarfi also said that the Institution’s focus was to vigorously pursue this as a formative component of the overall quality assurance strategy of the University.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, ably represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Danladi A. Ameh, expressed confidence that the experts invited would surely guide the University to achieve the desired objectives.
Prof. Bala, who declared the workshop open, also urged the participants to strictly focus on the local problems of the University with the guide by experts on the subject matter.
The newly elected Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Ahmed Doko Ibrahim and Deputy Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Olayinka Okunbanjo, were in attendance at the workshop.
There were three discussants at the occasion. They were Prof. Aisha Zakari, Department of Home Economics; Prof. Raymond Bako, Department of Educational Foundation and Curriculum; and Prof. Junaid Kabir, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine.
Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
27th June, 2021
