Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, yesterday pledged to strengthen partnership and scholarship with Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila.

Vice-Chancellor, KUST, Professor Shehu Alhaji Musa gave the assurance when he received the management of the new private university, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Salisu Shehu on a courtesy call to Wudil.

According to Professor Shehu, KUST is prepared to support the young university in the area of academic development through staff exchange and support programs as well as manpower capacity building.

The Vice-Chancellor reminded us that KUST has the obligation as a sister university to render all necessary technical support and lineage to Al-Istiqama because of the neighborliness of the two sister citadels of learning.

He had raised concern over the wide gap between the Southern and Northern parts of the country, especially in the areas of accessibility to tertiary education, largely due to acute shortage and poor investment in the private universities in the North.

The VC who applauded the foresight and courage of the former senior special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, on legislative matters, Dr. Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, founder of Al-Istiqama university, Kano, reiterated readiness to build a sustainable relationship with the university.

” Let me assure you that KUST is ready to support Al-Istiqama in all areas of interest that could build sustainable development and academic excellence. We are ready to sign an agreement with you for staff and program exchange perhaps inform of part-time, leave without pay, sabbatical, and other related.

” We would not hesitate because we consider it an an obligation to support you in research proposals, conferences, seminars, manpower support, and staff training. If you are also looking in the direction of postgraduate training for your staff, KUST has 58 postgraduate programs to build your manpower.

” We started in two academic programs and 91 students in 2001, today, I’m pleading to inform you that KUST has 20, 836 students running 58 postgraduate and 47 undergraduate programs. All our academic Programs have 100 percent accreditation”. Professor Shehu noted.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Al-Istiqama university, Professor Salisu had disclosed that the newly licensed private university commenced full academic session in October 2021 with over 300 undergraduate students and about 119 enrollees of the IJMB program, all accommodated in the university’s hostels.

Professor Salisu said Al-Istiqama is looking forward to joint conferences, seminar, and workshops to build academic and community service.

“As sister university, we share the same golds that are why we decided to seek partnership and collaboration in several areas of interest. We are here for good neighborliness as the closest neighbor. We feel and believed being neighbors alone is a good opportunity we must not take for granted.

” As a young citadel of learning, we are struggling to grow, and lending the rope through a senior university is more than necessary. We are more concerned in the area of staff training and development, research development, joint conferences, seminar, workshop, and conferences”. VC Al-Istiqama said.