Out of the 6,174 first degree graduands at the Bayero University Kano (BUK) 35th convocation, scheduled to hold between June 10 and 15, 2019, 105 graduands would be graduating with First Class. The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Muhammad Yahuza, addressing reporters in his office, said a total of 9, 571 graduands will partake in the convocation. 6,174 first degree graduands, 107 PhD graduands, 2,269 Master’s degree graduands and 1,039 Post Graduate Diploma graduands.
The Vice Chancellor added that there was an 11 per cent increase in the number of graduates compared to last year which was 8,634. Yahuza also disclosed that one of the graduating students this year, Abdullahi Umar Abdullahi, who is visually impaired would be graduating with a Second Class Upper.
Speaking further on special education in the institution, The VC said BUK also lowered UTME cut-off marks from 180 to 150 for the blind so as to encourage them to embrace tertiary education. He added that the university had spent N17 million awarding scholarship to indigent students
During the convocation, Yahuza said honorary degrees will be conferred on Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, Mr. Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu and Dr. Folake Solanke (SAN) for their outstanding performance in their various fields of endeavour, as well as service to humanity.
He added that “Emeritus Professorship will be conferred on Prof Abdulkadir Damgambo who retired from the services of the University in 2010 (after serving meritoriously for 37 years), but who has continued to serve the University through teaching, research and supervision of postgraduate students.”
As part of the convocation, the Vice Chancellor said the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Prof Suleiman Elias Bogoro will inaugurate some projects in the old and new campuses of the university on June 14.
Same day, the convocation lecture entitled: “Revitalising University Education in Nigeria:The Triple Helix Model,” will be delivered by the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed who was the university’s immediate-past Vice Chancellor.
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), is expected to chair the lecture.
Prof. Yahuza, however, noted that, “Bayero University has also continued to attract funding and support from non-governmental organizations from Nigeria and beyond.”
