The Office of the Vice Chancellor, Kaduna State University (KASU), successfully hosted its 2025 International Doctoral Consortium, a two-day capacity-building program for PhD scholars and aspiring researchers. The event, themed “Embracing Excellence in Doctoral Research and Thesis Writing,” was held on Tuesday, 25th, and Wednesday, 26th August 2025, at the 500-Seater Theatre Hall and the University Library.
The Vice Chancellor of KASU, Prof. Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa, who served as Chief Host, welcomed participants and dignitaries, emphasizing the rigors of doctoral studies and encouraging aspiring PhD candidates to pursue their dreams with dedication. Dr. Babangida Umar Dangani, University Librarian and host of the program, also delivered a goodwill message, while Dr. Esther Gani, the convener, coordinated the sessions.
The Guest Lecturer, Prof. Folusho Ayeni from Metropolitan State University, Minneapolis, delivered the keynote lecture titled “Doctoral Studies: Excellence, Integrity and Impact.” He highlighted that research excellence requires clarity of purpose, methodological rigor, critical engagement with literature, and strong ethical standards. Prof. Ayeni stressed that excellence is about consistent quality rather than perfection, advised scholars to work on meaningful and impactful topics, publish in reputable journals, and build collaborations. He also addressed common struggles in doctoral research, the importance of a well-defined problem statement, and consistency in research and writing.
The program featured several interactive sessions. On the first day, Prof. Auwal Farouk Abdulsalam presented a paper on identifying research problems and choosing appropriate methodologies. He discussed the central role of a research problem, qualities of good research, and the “Golden Thread” alignment between research questions and methodology. The day concluded with contributions from participants and closing remarks by Dr. Gani and Dr. Dangani.
Day two featured practical training and presentations from various experts. Dr. Dangani spoke on the foundations of inquiry and research paradigms. Mr. Umar Ibrahim Umar demonstrated how to use Zotero, a citation management tool, while Prof. S.C. Ukwoma discussed building professional networks with local and international scholars. Dr. Asma’u M. Ahmed, through an online session facilitated by Prof. Hauwa Yusuf, guided participants on grant and proposal writing, focusing on clear objectives, strong problem statements, and institutional support.
Other key presentations included Dr. Habibatu Zubairu Dabo’s session on wellness, stress management, and mindfulness for researchers, where the Vice Chancellor also contributed practical tips on managing stress. Prof. Hauwa’u Evelyn Yusuf delivered a highly engaging talk on “Surviving a PhD Journey,” covering challenges, time management, working with supervisors, ethical research, publishing, and maintaining work-life balance. She encouraged participants to adopt daily writing habits, seek early feedback, and plan effectively for funding, fieldwork, and defense preparation.
Throughout the two-day event, participants engaged actively through questions and contributions. Certificates were presented to facilitators and participants by the Vice Chancellor and other dignitaries.
The consortium ended with a vote of thanks from Dr. Gani, who expressed gratitude to all speakers and participants. The program was widely commended for equipping doctoral scholars with practical skills and strategies needed to excel in research, thesis writing, and academic careers.