The commitment of UBa to develop into the “University of the Future” has not wavered.

From the look of things, all is set for the University of Bamenda to turn full circle in the 2014/2015 academic year. On-the-spot in its Bambili campus, the atmosphere showcases students, lecturers and administrators in the mood of preparedness. Lectures are on course for returning students.

Newly admitted students in the Faculty of Science are busy enrolling themselves into the university community. Published results of competitive examinations into the Higher Teachers Training College (HTTC) and the Higher Teachers Technical Training College (HTTTC) are conspicuous on notice boards. Results of the examination into the University’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences are still awaited. 

Four years after inception, the commitment of the University of Bamenda (UBa) to develop into the University of the future has not wavered. It is evident that the administration, staff and students are focused and coping with challenges to make the Anglo-saxon facility a reference in professional education. It is against this backdrop that the pace has been set for a hitch free 2014/2015 academic year in the University of Bamenda with stakeholders turning full circle.

Efforts to empower the facility to become a centre of academic excellence are evident with some innovations in infrastructural facilities. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Tafah Edokat Oki told Cameroon Tribune that the new academic year begins with more space to enhance the teaching and learning process in the University of Bamenda. In effect, the institution has a few more amphitheatres and classrooms to offer.

It is also on record that the University of Bamenda has opted to build a strong platform for global visibility and influence on and with national institutions. That explains recent memoranda of understanding between the University and other institutions of higher learning. It is all about the University’s pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and outreach services and joint ventures.

It is also evident that the University of Bamenda is a new generation academic outfit with great ambitions to rise to expectation in the governance of management, infrastructure and academics. Seen from this angle, the expectations are high but the lack of adequate resources does not appear to help matters. It is an institution with daunting challenges to accommodate the needs of teaching, training, administration and leisure. 

It is perhaps important to remember that as a very young institution, the University of Bamenda is building from scratch. That easily explains why infrastructure and teaching staff are in short supply until recently when some 60 support staff were recruited. The University is in dire need of mass recruitment of lecturers, especially in the Higher Technical Teachers Training College (HTTTC) and the new College of Technology.