By isqil Najim
Summit University Offa, one of the fast rising private universities in Nigeria, has recorded another milestone, as the National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted approval for the commencement of eight new undergraduate programmes and four postgraduate programmes. Intending students can now enrol from the 2024/2025 academic session.
According to a statement by the Acting Registrar of the University, Abayomi Kadiri, all twelve programmes submitted by the University for resource verification received approval, after a rigorous verification exercise conducted by panels of NUC experts.
In his remark, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abiodun Musa Aibinu appreciated the Governing Councils, Board of Trustees (BOT), Proprietor and other stakeholders of the university for their progressive decision and support that culminated in the attainment of this achievement. He urged prospective students to take advantage of the opportunity to pursue career in emerging technologies and apply for admission and scholarship opportunity for the new programmes.
Two New Colleges, 8 new Engineering and Technology Programmes
The newly approved undergraduate programmes are housed in two newly established colleges namely Kola Balogun College of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Engineering (KBCOAIDE) and College of Innovation and Computing Technology (COICT).
According to the approved NUC official letter all the newly approved programmes are to effectively commence from the 2024/2025 academic session as full-time programmes.
The Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) programmes approved in KBCOAIDE are:
Mechatronics Engineering; Communication Engineering; Computer Engineering and Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
In the College of Innovation and Computing Technology, the newly approved Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) programmes are: Data Science, Cyber Security, Software Engineering; and Information Technology.
Four new Posgraduate Programmes
Additionally, Post Graduate Diploma, (PGD.), Master of Science (M.Sc.), and Doctor of
Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Accounting, Business Administration, Mass Communication and
Computer Science will now be offered at SUN, Offa.
This accomplishment underscores Summit University, Offa’s commitment to expanding and enhancing its academic offerings, positioning the university at the forefront of innovative education in Nigeria.
Gains of Leadership Masterstroke and extraordinary Commitment to innovation
In a masterstroke that epitomizes the adage ‘success is a journey, not a destination,’ in April 2022, Prof. Abiodun Musa AIBINU was appointed as the second substantive Vice-Chancellor of Summit University.
He set to work by immediately unveiling his vision for the University, with goal to transform it from a relatively unknown tertiary institution into a world class hub for developing innovations that would reshape how we work in Africa, live in our communities, and defend our nation. Many questioned how he would achieve this, to which he responded by emphasizing his plan to leverage emerging technologies.
Analysts believe that realizing this vision requires offering programs related to emerging technologies. Initially, the University only offered courses in Computer Science, Microbiology, and Biochemistry under STEM. Luck first shone on him and the University when they won their first international grant from the Royal Academy of Engineering Higher Educational Partnership program for a project titled ‘Artificial Intelligence for Females in Africa.’ This marked the initial step toward realizing the dream. Within months, the grant was utilized to build capacity in STEM, benefiting over 15,000 Nigerians through various training workshops.
Within another six months, the University secured two more grants: one from the Gender for Responsible Artificial Intelligence Network for a project titled ‘Artificial Intelligence for Women in Aquaculture,’ and another titled ‘Open Access for Research and Development.’ These grants bolstered capacity for innovations and inventions in STEM, providing momentum for inviting the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Since his inauguration in 2022, we’ve witnessed a surge in STEM-related activities and innovation in Offa and its environs. In 2023, in collaboration with One Innovation Hub, Offa saw the commissioning of the Kola Balogun and One Innovation Hub Printed Circuit factory, marking a significant milestone for the ancient city. Additionally, as part of the NUC CCMAS initiative, the University has made strides in democratizing Artificial Intelligence, Clean Energy, Financial Literacy, Grantsmanship, Acadopreneurship, History, Heritage, and Storytelling within its curriculum.
Consequently, all students are required to complete these courses as part of their compulsory curriculum before graduation. This achievement positions Summit University of Offa as the pioneer institution in Nigeria to democratize these emerging technologies.
In 2024, when the University applied for NUC approval to establish eight STEM-related departments, experts believed the University had matured to do so. On March 16th, 2024, NUC experts conducted a resource visitation to assess the University’s readiness to offer Bachelor degree programs in STEM fields. Following approval, the University is now accepting applications for Bachelor degrees in Data Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Communication Engineering, and Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
Getting into Summit University, Offa
These approvals position Summit University to cultivate homegrown talent and become a beacon of innovation, fundamentally altering how we work and defend our nation.
The general admission requirements for the two newly approved undergraduate programmes are:
- – Credit pass in five (5) O’ Level relevant subjects including English Language and
Mathematics in not more than two sittings. - – Obtaining Minimum UTME score set by the University
- – Obtaining minimum of lower credit in National Diploma or minimum of two points
in relevant A’ Level subjects for Direct Entry candidates.
Detailed information regarding the admission for the 2024/2025 admission exercise for
the newly approved undergraduate and postgraduate programmes is available on the
University’s website www.summituniversity.edu.ng