The Governing Council of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA) in Katsina State, has approved the appointment of Prof. Mohammed Khalid-Othman, as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Ali Abubakar-Jatau, announced the appointment in a statement issued by the institution’s Director, Information and Protocol, Nasiru Abdul, on Saturday in Katsina.

Mr Abdul said the pro-chancellor made the announcement after the 36th Special Meeting held in Dutse, Jigawa.

He added that the appointment followed the submission and consideration of the report of the Joint Council/Senate Selection Board on the Appointment of a substantive vice-chancellor for the university.

The chairman said, “The emergence of Prof. Khalid-Othman followed a rigorous selection process involving 17 shortlisted applicants for the position.”

He noted that at the close of the receipt of applications for the vacant position, 28 interested candidates applied for the position, while the Search Team identified three additional candidates.

He said, “The 17 shortlisted applicants, who were invited for the interview, participated in the rigorous and transparent selection process. After which, the selection board submitted the top three performing candidates to the Governing Council to select and approve one of them as the vice-chancellor.’’

The new vice-chancellor, an agricultural engineer from the famous Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, was born on July 22, 1962, in the Bindawa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

He attended Bindawa Primary School between 1970 and 1977, Government Secondary School, Funtua, 1977 to 1982, and School of Basic Studies, ABU, Zaria, from 1982 to 1983.

The new VC was at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, between 1984 and 1988; 1997 and 2001; as well as 2003 and 2007 for his first, second and third degrees respectively.

Prof. Khalid-Othman has a distinguished career from an assistant lecturer to professorship, and held different positions as a teacher, researcher and administrator.

He was a one-time executive director of the National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), ABU, Zaria; and presently an internal member of the Governing Council, representing the Senate.

The new vice-chancellor is married and has nine children. 

(NAN)