PAAU COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES WAXES STRONGER, READY FOR MORE INTAKES

The Professor Tenuche-led administration of the Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba has assured the general public of her readiness to create an enabling environment for the smooth running, growth, and development of the University’s College of Health Sciences.

In a statement to PAAU Media team on May 21, 2023, The A.g. Provost of the College, Dr. (Mrs) Mary Ojonema Alexander – Onoja-Alexander, stated that the weight and support thrown by the University Management behind the development of the college of Health Sciences, PAAU, cannot be over emphasized. Specifically, the Provost pointed out that under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Marietu O. Tenuche, noteworthy support have been a continum following the N.U.C approval and commencement of the B.Sc programmes in Human Physiology and Human Anatomy. She added that upon this giant stride by the University Management, no stone was left unturned her determined effort to quicken the approval and commencement of B.Sc programmes in Pharmacology, Medical Laboratory Science and Nursing science. Today, the college offers degree programmes in Five (5) Courses with students population increasing to about 650.
In a detailed chronicle of the imprint of the University Management in the College, the Provost highlighted the following areas of development:
Infrastructure and Facilities: The University Management has magnanimously allocated resources for the renovation, and maintenance of buildings, laboratories, libraries, and other necessary facilities required for the various programs in the College of Health Sciences as approved by the National Universities Commission.
Faculty and Staff: The University Management has ensured the recruitment and retention of qualified faculty members, lecturers, administrators, and support staff. A conducive working environment and competitive salaries, professional development opportunities to attract and retain talented individuals have also been ensured.
Curriculum and Programmes: The University Management has also worked closely with the College of Health Sciences to develop and update relevant and comprehensive curricula that meet the industry’s standards and requirements. Recently, the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic standard (CCMAS) as required by N.U.C also featured the programs offered in the College.
Commitment to Floating New programmes: The University Management has continuously given support for the introduction of new programs and courses that address emerging trends and demands in the healthcare field with MBBS program as the point of focus.
Research and Funding: The University Management has encouraged and facilitated research activities and funding opportunities for staff within the College of Health Sciences, PAAU, by providing TETFund funding opportunities for research, conferences and staff academic development.
Accreditation and Quality Assurance: The University Management has ensured that the College of Health Sciences meets the necessary accreditation standards and regulatory requirements for programmes being presented for accreditation and professional council approval.
The provost specially expressed appreciation to the entire Management team under the leadership of Prof. Marietu Ohunene Tenuche, for their unrelenting efforts and support towards the continuous development of the College.
In a similar development, the Head of the Anatomy Department and a pioneer staff of the College, Prof. Abayomi Ajayi revealed that in line with the team spirit that characterizes the Tenuche-led Management, and in addition to the University Management’s support, the College’s operational teamwork, especially between the Provost of the College, Dr. Onoja-Alexander Mary Ojonema, the Dean, Prof. Shehu Akuyam, all HODs, lecturers, all other members of staff and students of the College has contributed to the growth of respective programmes in the College.

He noted that the Anatomy Department at PAAU, for example, has one of the best anatomy facilities in the world, including an excellent space for offices and well-equipped laboratories.
Prof. Ajayi lauded the commitment of the University Management for providing human resources, facilities such as laboratories, utility vehicles, and other reagents for the College, which beyond meeting accreditation requirements, echo the Vice-Chancellor’s penchant for creating an enabling environment for staff members to function in their areas of professional training.

Prof. Ajayi stated that akin to the me in the College, the Anatomy Department takes pride in her remarkable student-centred teaching service and is positioned as one of the leading departments in research published in the best journal indexes, including Scopus.

The acting head of the Physiology Department, Dr. Owemidu, Idowu Olumorin, noted that since the inception of Prof. Tenuche’s administration, more attention has been given to the College, and that has contributed to the improvement of its standard. The attention is also evident in the creation of new programmes and the support given to the Departments to live up to standard through the provision of adequate laboratories. With this support, the Physiology Department is confidently preparing for its accreditation in October 2023 after previous successful resource verification.

Dr. Owemidu noted that with the provision of adequate and secured hostel facilities, buses for transportation, and state-of-the-art lecture facilities, the University Management has provided an enabling environment for students of the College to study and favorably compete with their peers in other Universities.

In their respective statements to the Media team, the Provost and HODs of all programs in the College of Health Sciences expressed unanimity in the readiness of the programmes, following the conclusion of JAMB examinations, to welcome new sets of students for the 2023/2024 academic session in accordance with the University’s calendar.