ABU awards scholarships to 107 students with special needs, foreign students
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria has awarded scholarships to 49 postgraduate foreign students, 42 undergraduate foreign students, 10 Nigerian students, and six undergraduate indigent students.
Presenting the award letters at the Senate Chambers, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, explained that the founding fathers of the University made it clear that the doors of the University were open to men and women of different races, and that was why the University extended the hand of help to the most vulnerable students.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Raymond Bako, the Vice-Chancellor stated that he received letters of requests from foreign students and read at management level, which eventually led to the granting of their requests.
Prof. Bala noted that the scholarship ws not coming in cash, rather through any means to support students to excel.
He said there is always ability in disability, stressing that the sky is the starting point for all students with special needs.
The Vice-Chancellor enjoined foreign students to be good ambassadors of the University in their respective countries after the completion of their studies.
In a remark, the Director, Counseling and Human Development Center, Dr. Sa’adatu Muhammad Makarfi, disclosed that the University decided that foreign students both undergraduate and postgraduate pay the same amount as indigenous students due to the economic situation of the country.
Dr. Makarfi said for students with special needs, the University had paid complete tuition fees and accommodation for some, while for those who had already paid their tuition fees, the University had covered their accommodation.
The Director thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management for the kind gesture.
Also speaking, the President of Students with Special Needs, Mustapha Sufyan Yahaya, expressed gratitude to the University for looking into their plight.
Yahaya said students with disability in the University are more than 15, appealing that the scholarship be extended to others.
Appreciating the University Management on behalf of foreign students, Abdul Ilyasu Sani, prayed for the success of the University in all endeavors.
Highlights of the events were presentation of scholarship award letters to all beneficiaries and group photograph. The event was attended by the Registrar, Rabiu Samaila; representative of the Bursar, Mr. J. Kwaya; Dean Students Affairs Division, Prof. Sahalu Junaidu; Director, Directorate of Academic Planning and Monitoring, Prof. Mukhtar Bello; University Counselor, Dr. Sa’adatu Atiku; and representative of the Ag. University Librarian, among others.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Thursday, 19 September, 2024
