Interview: “Four Professional Programmes Have Been Introduced”

Prof. Roland Ndip Ndip, Registrar, University of Buea, talks on efforts to professionalise more courses.

How has the new academic year taken off in your university?

We started the 2016/2017 academic year with re-sit examinations from 14-21 September 2016. The Senate met on 7 October to ratify results for online publication on 8 October. Another important event was the Finance and General Purpose Committee meeting to validate important administrative and financial issues which cannot wait for the regular Council session. The meeting held on 30 September and its highlight was the approval of 10.5 billion FCFA as administrative and management accounts of UB for the 2015/2016 academic year.

The Accounting Division, with all concerted units of the University of Buea, was able to produce a balanced account of the use of money put at the disposal of the university by the State. The Council meeting, chaired by the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Maurice Tchuente, also endorsed the advancement of the carriers of academic staff. We have published admission lists for all classical Faculties and Professional Schools. Close to 8,000 students have been admitted this year into undergraduate and post-graduate programmes, compared to 7,000 last year.

How is the professionalisation of courses being pursued in your university?

The Department of Academic Affairs takes charge of this. During orientation, students are briefed on the entire concept. So many professional programmes are being introduced in the university, given that the new governance policy emphasises the need for professionalisation. Quality and relevance is what practise. This year, we are launching four new professional programmes. One is in the Faculty of Arts, which is Performance and Visual Arts. We have another in the Faculty of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering. Another programme on Peace and Conflict Resolution is in the Faculty of Arts. The last is in the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences.

What of harmonisation of programmes?

The Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor-in-charge of Teaching and all the Deans of Faculties and Schools will travel to Yaounde to conclude harmonisation. In the layman’s terms, harmonization is what we are going to do to give a base in all the universities to allow mobility and comparability of programmes. But it is not going to be a total acceptance...