The University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau State, Nigeria has taken a significant step towards expanding its academic offerings and enhancing its research capabilities.
The Senate of the university has approved the establishment of a new Faculty of Architecture and the unbundling of some departments in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
According to a press release signed by Abdullahi Abdullahi, Senior Deputy Registrar (Information and Publications), the decision was taken during the University Senate’s Second Regular Meeting for the 2024/2025 Academic Session. The new Faculty of Architecture will comprise three distinct academic programs and departments: Architecture, Interior Architecture Design, and Landscape Architecture.
This development is in line with the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) minimum standard, and the university’s efforts to continually adapt to meeting the rising demands of higher education. The establishment of the Faculty of Architecture is expected to provide students with a more specialised and focused education in the field, thereby enhancing their career prospects.
In another significant development, the Senate approved the unbundling of the three existing departments in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine into six new departments. The new departments include Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Veterinary Microbiology and Veterinary Pathology, Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, and Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology. This restructuring is aimed at ensuring that the university stays relevant to its immediate community by expanding its academic offerings.
The University Administration has also announced plans to provide more incentives for its researchers to engage in cutting-edge research. According to Professor Tanko Ishaya, Chairman of Senate and Vice-Chancellor, the university will assume financial responsibility for staff who publish in Q1 and Q2 Journals. This initiative is expected to boost the university’s research capabilities and enhance its reputation globally.
The University’s Academic Planning Research and Publications Committee (APR&PC) will develop guidelines to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of this initiative.
Q1 and Q2 Journals are prestigious academic journals classified by their impact factor and represent the top 25.