EDUCATION: NUC Set To Introduce 12 fresh Programmes Into Varsity Curriculum
The National Universities Commission (NUC) is set to introduce 12 new programmes into the curriculum of Nigerian universities across the country designed to equip students with the 21st century skills, employability skills and self-reliance needed to thrive in a dynamic world.
It was gathered that 12 new programmes were either outstanding or omitted during the earlier review of the curriculum in the Nigerian University System (NUS) when NUC developed Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) for Nigerian universities.
The 12 new programmes to be introduced are Artificial Intelligence; Classical Christian Education; Community Health Science; Cooperative Economics and Management Studies; Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science; Geomatics Engineering Intelligence and Security Studies.
Others are Parasitology and Entomology; Sports Management; Telecommunication Science; Water Sanitation and Hygiene, and Islamic Economics and Finance.
It was gathered that a panel was raised to fine-tune the programmes would be incorporated in the CCMAS for the various disciplines where they belonged to, in the Nigerian Universities after undergoing necessary stakeholders validation.
Executive Secretary, NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, speaking on the development noted that the exercise is being carried out because the commission had received a number of requests for the development of new curriculum from universities and professional bodies after it had embarked on a comprehensive curriculum review exercise that lasted for over two years.
He added that the submissions were analysed to ascertain their viability and marketability as academic programmes and eventually 12 programmes in all were selected for incorporation into the CCMAS.
He noted that the commission has the powers to lay down minimum standards for all universities and other degree-awarding institutions in the country as well as the accreditation of their degrees and other academic awards.
He added that the NUC derived its powers from Section 10 (1) of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, Cap. E3, Laws of the Federation, 2004 (formerly Act No. 16 of 1985 as amended).
SOURCE: TRIBUNE NEWS ONLINE
