The Institute of Science, Technology and Management Studies (ISTMS) at Kaduna State University convened a capacity-building workshop on Thursday, 24th April 2025, under the theme “Stakeholder Engagement Towards Effective Service Delivery.” The event brought together internal and external stakeholders to strengthen the Institute’s role in academic excellence, community impact, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation.
In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa—represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Yushau Ibrahim Ango—underscored the urgency of realigning ISTMS with the University’s strategic goals. He noted that, to achieve these goals, ISTMS must:
Realign its academic programmes with current market demands
Promote applied research with tangible societal impact
Develop a modern, relevant curriculum
Embrace digital learning technologies
Strengthen linkages with industry and other key stakeholders
Prof. Ango then outlined ISTMS’s strategic targets for 2025–2028:
1. Introduction of demand-driven academic programmes
2. Establishment of strategic partnerships
3. Creation of an Innovation Hub
4. Increased student enrollment
He emphasized that cross-departmental collaboration will be crucial for success, thanked the ISTMS team and external partners for their support, and charged the Institute with evolving into a strategic enabler—focused on innovation and execution—to help shape Africa’s future.
Dr. Stephen James, Director of ISTMS, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the Institute’s mandate, core values, mission, and vision, all centered on academic rigor, practical impact, and societal relevance. He also introduced newly launched programmes designed to address emerging needs in science, technology, and management education.
Stakeholder Engagement and Institutional Mandate
Prof. Abubakar S. Magaji, Provost of the College of Science, Computing, and Engineering, spoke on the vital role of stakeholders in fulfilling ISTMS’s mandate. He explained that ISTMS offers diploma programmes in compliance with regulatory standards and comprises two main units:
1. Programmes Unit
2. Research and Documentation Unit
Key stakeholders were identified as:
Internal: staff and students
External: government agencies, industry leaders, and development partners
Their roles include strategic decision-making, resource mobilization, policy development, research collaboration, and advocacy. Prof. Magaji highlighted challenges—misaligned priorities, communication gaps, and limited resources—and proposed strategies to address them:
Building trust through consistent, open dialogue
Defining clear, shared goals
Promoting transparency and accountability
Strengthening collaborative networks
Case studies showcased practical contributions from Directors, Deputy Directors, Centre Directors, and Programme Coordinators, reinforcing that stakeholder involvement is essential for ISTMS’s growth and innovation.
The workshop provided a valuable forum for reflection, learning, and strategic planning. It concluded with a collective call for continuous collaboration, robust policy development, and sustained stakeholder engagement—ensuring ISTMS becomes a catalyst for innovation, entrepreneurship, and academic excellence in Nigeria and beyond.
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