The Bauchi State Government has introduced a “pre-service scheme” to the MBBS, Dentistry, and Nursing Students studying at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State.
The Vice Chancellor of the University Bala Audu disclosed this during the Third Matriculation ceremony of candidates admitted for the 2024/2025 academic season held Saturday at the Institution in Azare.
Audu, who hailed Governor Bala Mohammed while requesting him to expand the scope to cover other programmes, said, “We wish to extend the same to his counterpart, the Governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammed for the introduction of ‘pre-service scheme’ to the MBBS, Dentistry and Nursing Students, and wish to request the governor to expand the scope to cover other programmes.”
The VC equally commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate for upgrading the Federal Medical Centre, Azare to a Teaching Hospital which will serve as a training ground and facility centre for the university students.
The don also thanked the North-east Governors Forum for their support to the university, adding that the Forum has facilitated the allocation of a special intervention project for the construction of a Centre for Child and Maternal Health in the University, by the North East Development Commission.
He further disclosed that a total 1,178 candidates have been registered for the year 2024/2025 academic session, and warned the matriculating students against social vices, saying, “Since the establishment of this university in 2021, we have made it to be part of our core values of zero tolerance to all kinds of social vices, such as cultism, examination misconducts, sexual harassment, drug abuse, homosexualism, lesbianism, indecent dressing, vandalism, theft and truancy, these anti-social behaviours are not only frowned at but also prohibited.”
He explained that FUHSA would be known not only for imparting knowledge but also for moulding the character and behaviour of its students to become good ambassadors of the nation.
“Those who break the rules shall be made to face the disciplinary committee. This can result in dismissal from the university.
“The oath you have taken today is an indication of your readiness and acceptance to abide by FUHSA laws and statutes as well as a promise that you will conduct yourself with decorum during your stay in this Institution. I, therefore, on behalf of myself and the university community, wish you a successful academic pursuit.”
Audu continued, “These rules are the same all over tertiary institutions because they are designed and put in place to train sound, morally upright, matured and well blended minds expected to be the great leaders of tomorrow. This institution is well known for its fundamental principles, norms, and cultural values. These values have projected the image of this institution as a center for learning and character moulding of our students.
“The core values also depict the vision of our university, which is to nurture a university of high standards, to be rated among the best in the world.
“As you may be aware, the five pioneer programmes MBBS, Dentistry, Nursing Sciences, Radiography and Human Nutrition and Dietetics have faced the NUC accreditation in the last three weeks and we are optimistic that all the programmes will scale through and get full accreditation status by the NUC.
“The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria will also come for MBBS and Dentistry Accreditation in early 2025. The other six courses in Allied Health Sciences would also face the same accreditation exercise next year, and the management will do everything that is required to get our programmes accredited by all regulatory bodies and agencies.”
As a result, the don advised ailing residents to seek further medical assistance.
“The idea was to bring people closer to our activities of voluntary security of lives and properties and to create awareness towards ensuring wider public acceptance of our clinical and medical offerings,” he stressed.
