DELSU has concluded plans to partner national and multinational companies for the development of the University just as it would establish a business school in Warri to capture potential students in the Sapele-Warri-Ughelli axis to have solid funding base.

This was disclosed by Prof. Samuel O. Asaba, Vice Chancellor, Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka at the 17th Convocation Press conference in the University, he said that he sees the University in his vision as one of first choice for Deltans and other Nigerians.

Prof. Asaba, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), former Provost of Asaba Campus of the Ivory tower as well as Professor of Biochemistry for 14 years, added, “measures to enhance DELSU’s ranking and global competitiveness will be put in place to ensure that academic and administrative activities conform to international standards and global best practices.”

He said hat; “a Micro Finance Bank will be established in partnership with the thrift, cooperatives and credit societies in the University. These cooperative societies shall be wooed to be investors in the Micro Finance Bank which shall be properly constituted to manage the staff and students’ funds/savings. The services of the microfinance bank shall also be available to the host community.

“We shall strive to shore up the national and international profile of the University by encouraging our Faculties, Departments and Centres to hold/host national and international academic discourses to which international scholars are invited.

“I will vigorously seek for increase students’ population by raising the quota for undergraduate admission annually especially for courses that are highly sought after such as Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, etc. The envisaged computer skills acquisition programmes of our ICT directorate in partnership with competent Tech companies would be a source of revenue generation as the programmes would be run on commercial basis.

“The scope of the Centre for Open and Distance Learning will be expanded to cover as many departments of the University as possible. The reason is that this Centre will yield a lot of revenue to the University, and expanding its scope will mean increase in revenue generation.”

“National and multinational companies will be wooed and partnered for the development of the University. In this regard, an External Relations Committee will be constituted to engage with oil, gas and maritime companies operating in Delta State for funding of equipment needs for our Skills acquisition Centre, laboratories, studios and workshops.”

Prof. Asaba spoke further, “more attractive courses will be introduced so that our business school will be a lucrative academic venture. An additional Business School will be established in Warri to capture potential students in the Sapele-Warri-Ughelli axis”.

He also promised that as Vice-Chancellor, he will put in place and sustain measures to improve the quality of graduate and post-graduate students’ output, not only in academic content but importantly in employability.

“To this end, my administration Will closely monitor research and teaching by staffs and learning by students at regular basis. Employ more qualified staff especially those with PhD to reduce academic staff work load to make them more effective including marking of examinations scripts on time”, the Vice Chancellor stated.