The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has witnessed significant milestones in the preceding year, under the stewardship of its present Dean, Prof. Nda E. Mundi.
Mundi, who was reelected to spearhead the faculty after leaving a similar feat as the Director, Special Study Centre for the Nigerian Air Force, Kaduna.
The faculty has now received the good attention of its dean in areas such as the academic, administrative and workable future plans for its sustainability and impacts.
In terms of academic achievements, four academic staff of the faculty were promoted to the rank of reader and four others were also promoted to the ranks of lecturer I and II.
Moreover, on academic achievements was the establishment of the Faculty Journal of Agricultural Sciences where two editions of the journals were published within the year promoting research visibility.
Another milestone recorded was the Postgraduate programme development where approval was obtained for the commencement of postgraduate programmes.
This unprecedented feat will see courses such as Postgraduate Diploma, Master's of Science MSc and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D).
On the research development, the dean has made history by reactivating the Faculty Research Farm for active academic practical and experimental activities as well as initiation of collaborative project to support students research and community based learning.
Course Material Development also formed part of the academic achievement recorded as review and updates of course materials to meet current agricultural and educational standards and integration of digital learning tools and improved instructional delivery methods.
Another thing was Human Resource strengthening through enhanced academic staffing structure with four permanent academic staff and seven adjunct academic staff.
Administratively, in terms of carrier progression, in his first year in office, there were promotions of a non academic staff to the rank of Deputy Registrar, which has contributed to the administrative efficiency and institutional growth.
On the other achievement, the faculty farm so far has started proper functioning, without using any high profile machine/tractor, the faculty was able to produce 15 bags of maize manually. Additionally, in the orchard farm, the production of orange, tanjain, grape and lemon was resuscitated.
Equally, solar power was provided to restore the unproductive borehole, which in turn, led to the resuscitation of fish production and provided healthy water for the livestock.
Speaking on the future plans, the dean stated that there will be an introduction of short courses and professional certificate programmes which led to the development of short term and professional training programmes in key agricultural areas such as Agribusiness Management, Climate Smart Agriculture, Organic Farming, and Post-harvest Technology in order to increase the students population in the faculty.
Also, there has been a plan in terms of collaboration and partnership with industries and government agencies to enhance capacity building.
Expansion of research and innovation activities which centered on the establishment of faculty-based research clusters focusing on food, security, sustainable crop production and livestock systems is in the pipeline.
Active participation in the proposed postdoctoral research and degree initiative programme coordinated by the Directorate of Research Administration (DRA) in addition to pursuit of external grants and partnership with national and international research institutions formed part of the faculty's future plans.
In terms of Faculty Infrastructural Development, upgrading of greenhouse and the faculty research farm for modern agricultural training, development of demonstration plot and model farms across study centres will also be pursued by the dean.
Digital transformation and e-Learning, thus integrating e-Learning modules for agricultural science courses, creation of digital laboratories and online practicum platforms for remote learners has been streamlined.
Facilitation of student internships and industrial attachment (SIWES/FPY) via strategic partnerships with agricultural institutions and big farms around the country will be approached with facilitation of student internships and industrial attachment ( SIWES/FPY) via strategic partnerships with agricultural institutions.
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