University of Buea Moving Towards New Horizons of Excellence

By Christopher Ambe Shu

Picture 1:UB VC,Prof Vincent Titanji answering questions from the press after receiving New year wishes

Pictue 2:Cross -section of Students and staff listening to VC(not pictured) during the ceremony

University of Buea, Cameroon’s most highly rated state-owned university is moving toward new horizons of excellence, Professor Vincent P. K Titanji, the Vice-chancellor has said, confidently.

The University, whose 2008 budget stands at FCFA 6.2million, representing a 20% increase over last year’s, now has a new strategic plan, new research policy, new professionalized BMP (Bachelor’s, Masters PhD) programs; has launched a distance education project for a Bachelor of Education degree in Nursery and Primary Education and several other reforms, which are all aimed at improving correspondence between university training and the requirements of the Job markets.

Professor Titanji, who in December 2006, became the third vice-chancellor of University of Buea(UB) told a large assembly of staff and students of the institution who on February 20 turned –up to present him New Year’s Wishes that, his administration is bent on making the varsity an all-time model.

So satisfied at the high quality education and administration of UB is Cameroon’s Minister of Higher Education, Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo.The Minister has “congratulated us six times in the past 14 months and authorized a special subvention of FCFA 800 million to the University as a sign of his appreciation for our work”, the Vice chancellor disclosed, attracting thunderous applause from the University community.

Professor Titanji said the Cameroon government “is investing heavily in Higher Education sector …especially in University of Buea. These significant investments are eloquent proof of government’s commitment to support the University of Buea.”

He pleaded with the students to show appreciation for what the government is doing to enable them study in a conducive environment. “The least that students can do to show appreciation for this support is shun violence and disorder so that they better apply themselves to their studies”, he stressed in a veiled reference to the last two violent and destructive UB strikes that left several students dead.
The Vice -Chancellor ,however, remarked, “More than ever before our students are taking seriously to our call to remain focused on their studies and take advantage of positive wind of change in favor of creating a bright future for themselves”

The Vice-Chancellor insisted that the UB strategic plan, which runs from 2007 to 2015, must be implemented. “We cannot afford to spend the best part of a year to draw up a plan only to put it aside and act as if the plan did not exist. We must start to implement this plan in earnest even if we will be making adjustments as we move along”

He challenged lecturers to form research teams and compete for a UB research grant of FCFA 425 million, but warned that, research grants are public funds that must be managed transparently and in an accountable manner. “Grantees, who fail to account for funds received, expose themselves to sanction provided by the law and will certainly be issued collection orders”, Prof Titanji, himself a renowned researcher, cautioned

Presenting New Year’s Wishes to the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of the staff, UB Registrar, Professor Samson N. Abangma, in his speech, described the Vice-Chancellor’s leadership as one that “establishes and communicates clear standards, a leadership that listens to what is said and is sensitive to others’reactions, a leadership that chooses the methods of communication most likely to secure effective results”

The registrar said the skies of UB brightened in 2007 under the leadership of Professor Titanji.He noted that in 2007 UB was peaceful, purposeful and businesslike, a year when most of the objectives and targets set were achieved. “A further success for 2007 at the academic level was the consolidation and rigorous implementation of the medical degree program which stared in 2006/2007 academic year”, he pointed out.
The Registrar particularly lauded he Vice -Chancellor who still “feels most at home with test tubes and White laboratory over-all”
He called on the Vice –chancellor to try to redress the problem of unpaid dues faced by some staff, and encouraged him to “continue with the culture of dialogue, the rhythm of infrastructural development, and the improvement of working conditions for student and staff”
In conclusion, Professor Abangma told the Vice -Chancellor, “The University of Buea ship you are piloting is on course; the winds are favorable and the sea is calm” He urged the VC to continue to do what is right for the good of the University and the nation as a whole.
Unlike in past years, this year the student union was not allowed to make a speech at the occasion. It was feared their speech could incite students to rebellion, as the student body was said not to be in very good terms the UB administration.

EurOil, an indigenous oil and gas company in Douala also used the ceremony to present books to the University. Retired UB workers were also given encouragement prizes by the University Administration.