By Okechukwu Onuegbu
The Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Professor Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, has unveiled a five-year Strategic Development Plan which among other things, sought to reposition the university as leading federal university in South-East geopolitical zone and top 20 in Africa by 2031.
According to a press statement issued by the university's Director of Information and Public Relations, Comrade Aloysius Attah, the strategic plan, covering 2026 to 2031 was themed “A Greater UNIZIK is Possible."
It sets out a comprehensive development agenda founded on 8 pillars includung Academic Excellence, Research and Innovation, Global Recognition , Smart and Digital UNIZIK, Excellence in Staff and Leadership, Student-Centred University, Modern and Sustainable Infrastructure , Financial Strength and Partnerships.
"A major focus of the plan is the transformation of teaching and learning. Under its Academic Excellence and Curriculum Transformation agenda, the university will strengthen implementation of the NUC Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), expand digital and flexible learning opportunities, improve accreditation readiness and ensure that academic programmes are better aligned with emerging industry and labour-market demands.
"The university is also placing research and innovation at the centre of its development strategy. Under the Research Excellence, Innovation and Knowledge Translation pillar, UNIZIK plans to expand applied research, tackle procurement and equipment-installation bottlenecks, strengthen intellectual property protection and create pathways for commercialising research discoveries.
"The plan further provides for the establishment of specialised research hubs in clean energy and artificial intelligence, reflecting the university's intention to participate more actively in solving contemporary technological and societal challenges. In a related move to raise the university's profile internationally, the administration will pursue an aggressive Global Visibility, Rankings and Internationalisation programme.
"This will include improving the university's global digital presence and ranking performance, establishing dedicated international admissions structures, supporting publication funding for researchers and hosting international conferences designed to attract scholars and institutions from different parts of the world. The administration's Smart University Agenda is another major component of the plan.
"UNIZIK is expected to move progressively towards a digitally connected campus through high-speed internet infrastructure, deployment of a Learning Management System (LMS), smart security systems, expanded e-governance and modern digital media production facilities. The digital agenda is expected to improve the delivery of academic programmes while making administrative processes faster, more accessible and efficient.
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