The Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja, Prof. Abdul- Rasheed Na’Allah, had said that over 1000 students of the University have registered their private companies with the Corporate Affairs Commission CAC as part of efforts to boost entrepreneurship and self reliance after graduation.
Prof. Na’Allah, who disclosed this during a media chat in the university said his goal was to reposition the students to become global citizens and employers of labour.
The Vice-Chancellor stressed that the registration of businesses with the CAC and operating it while in school have been made compulsory for students of the institution.
According to him, the institution has within the last four years established a reliable partnership with industries, including the Abuja chambers of commerce to provide the right mentorship for its students.
“We are the partners of Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry. We are not just an ordinary partner, we are a major partner. We work together in so many things. Every year in December, we celebrate our partnership to count what is it we have achieved and we always come back to review our achievement.
“The industries are constantly working with us and everytime we are always seeing something new. One of the newest things for example this time around is that more than 1,000 students have registered their companies with CAC.
“Students having companies is incredible and these students some of them are graduating, some are in 300 level with opportunities to even practice the companies that they registered.
“And what we are saying to our students is that we are not only giving you certificates to go and look for employment, we are charging you to employ yourself and create wealth. We are charging our students to change their mindset and not think that government is there.”
However, Prof. Na’Allah said the institution was also setting up an entrepreneurship trust fund to support the students become successful in their businesses.
The Vice Chancellor also noted that the University had introduced new academic programmes namely nuclear engineering, aeronautical engineering, railway engineering, mining and geology as well as tourism and hospitality management.
Besides, he said the new programmes would commence immediately after approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
“All these (programmes) are taking off, and as I speak today, by this weekend, NUC is coming to do resource verification, most of these areas including Mining and Geology, staff have been recruit,” he said.
“Railway engineering, we are collaborating with the Chinese government, the President of China, picked University of Abuja for Luban workshop, we are working with them to start Railway Engineering,” he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)