IBUAM: The Challenges of a Specialized University

IBUAM: The Challenges of a Specialized University

By: Balami Lazarus

Universities are major parts of nation building. its growth, progress, and developments, among other human endeavors. They are known for adding value to human capacity in the realm of intellectual/skills productivity. Therefore,

Universities are playing significant roles in research and development (R&D).

Their core aims are translated into their objectives of teaching, learning, and character, knowing fully well that universities are the citadel of higher levels of educational attainment a country needs.

Whereof, universities are faced with volumes of challenges, both academic and non-academic, laying more in academic works and activities with demands in teaching, learning, and research.

When NEWSng visited the founder of Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM), Engr. Isaac David Balami, recently in Abuja in an attempt to follow up with the progress of this particular specialized private university, the only specialized academic institution in aeronautics and aviation management in academic disciplines/practicalities, including techniques and skills in aviation fields.

It is on record that IBUAM is the only private specialized university that trains and provides students with academics, practicals, techniques, and skills in aeronautics engineering fields and aviation management in sub-Saharan Africa.

Without prejudice, NEWSng has a fair understanding of the challenges our universities are faced with and are struggling to meet.

Be as it may, universities, whether specialized or not, are institutions for serious academic and intellectual studies where large funds are needed to run, manage, and cater to her teaching, learning, and research, including other services. In consideration of this, NEWSng commends kudos to IBUAM.

“I give glory to the Almighty. And let me state here with sincerity of purpose, appreciation, and gratitude to the Borno State Government under my able, progressive, and foresighted governor, Engr. Babagana Umara Zulum, who has made IBUAM see the light of day by her quantum support of sponsoring over 30 native students for various courses at IBUAM. The scholarship package runs in billions of naira. My gratitude also goes to well-meaning Nigerians who stood with me to make IBUAM a reality and the first of its kind on the African continent.”

NEWSng was further informed by the engineer. Isaac Balami, the IBUAM is not a conventional university where you have more academic theories and fewer practicals.

“Let me state here categorically that in IBUAM we are for both academic works and more practical applications. The aviation industry is all about safety, perfection, and security applicable to IBUAM in her courses. With this in mind, our challenges are more than a handful. The management spends hundreds of millions for just services. We are

We’re doing our best to see to the growth of this university. “Most people out there admired universities and their physical structures, including their names, without a second thought. “The aviation industry and its businesses the world over are not a tuft for unserious-minded businessmen or investors; everything surrounding the industry is all about money. Come to think of having a related academic institution (university) like IBUAM, whose objective is to produce graduates of international standard for best practices.”

Take for instance, a university with just three faculties: Sciences, Arts, and Management, with only 300 students. I suppose that, in your opinion, such a university is not impressive.

Thus, if you begin to consider what it takes to run and manage a university in terms of personnel, especially lecturers; facilities; tools; materials; and equipment, you will be shocked.

This has made NEWSng a reason why specialized universities like IBUAM need large funds to function. “You need more than two or three airplanes on the ground for practicals… excluding tax, insurance, and other charges to bring them.”

Reportedly, the challenges faced by a specialized university are much greater than what is commonly heard: “With the collective support of IBUAM management, we are progressing.”

The founder, Engr. Isaac David Balami, said that to bring the attention of the university closer to the people, the management has proposed to have an IBUAM liaison office in Abuja.

IBUAM: The Challenges of a Specialized University