The Federal Government, through the National Universities Commission, has commenced plans to introduce 12 new programmes into the curriculum of universities in the country, The PUNCH reports.
A total of 12 panels were also drafted to review the courses to make useful suggestions that will strengthen weak areas.
This is according to a transcript of the meeting between the NUC and members of the panel, which was issued in Abuja on Wednesday.
The 12 new programmes to be introduced are Artificial Intelligence; Classical Christian Education; Community Health Science; Cooperative Economics and Management Studies; Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science; Geomatics Engineering Intelligence and Security Studies; Parasitology and Entomology; Sports Management; Telecommunication Science; Water Sanitation and Hygiene, and Islamic Economics and Finance.
The Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, reminded panelists that the commission has the powers to lay down minimum standards for all universities and other degree-awarding institutions in the country as well as the accreditation of their degrees and other academic awards.
He noted that the NUC derived its powers from Section 10 (1) of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, Cap. E3, Laws of the Federation, 2004 (formerly Act No. 16 of 1985 as amended).
He stated that the exercise is being carried out because the commission had received a number of requests for the development of a new curriculum from universities and professional bodies after it had embarked on a comprehensive curriculum review exercise that lasted for over two years.
