The Bursary Department of Kaduna State University (KASU), Kaduna, has organised a two-day in-house training for bursary and internal audit staff for the year 2025. The programme commenced today, Monday, 6th January 2025, at the University’s 500-Seater Pharmacy Hall.
In her opening remarks, the Bursar of Kaduna State University, Hajiya Hauwa’u Dalhat, warmly welcomed members of the University management and participants to the programme. She disclosed that the theme of this year’s training is “Collaborative Learning: Pair Training and Knowledge Sharing.” According to her, the bursary profession goes beyond the disbursement of funds to include continuous learning, collaboration, and effective knowledge sharing among staff and across the University community.
Delivering her goodwill message, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Strategy and Service Delivery, Prof. Helen Afang Andow, described the training as a good way to begin the year. She urged participants to pay close attention to the sessions and take advantage of the opportunity to improve and enhance their performance.
Similarly, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Yushau Ibrahim Ango, noted that the training came at a critical time, as it would broaden the knowledge base of the participants and make them more versatile. He added that the programme would equip staff with the skills needed to function effectively in any unit within the University. He further described the Bursary Department as one of the most important departments in the University due to the nature of its responsibilities.
In his goodwill message, the University Librarian, Dr. Babangida Dan Gani, emphasised that knowledge sharing is key to effective job performance. He highlighted the mutual working relationship between the Bursary and the University Library and congratulated the Bursary Department for organising the training.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Kaduna State University, Professor Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa, warmly welcomed members of management and participants to the programme. He noted that effective collaboration between his office and the Bursary Department has consistently produced positive results.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the department for its outstanding performance, describing it as one of the leading departments in the University over the past two years. He also expressed appreciation to the resource persons for taking time out of their busy schedules to support the programme.
Professor Musa expressed confidence that the training would further strengthen the capacity of bursary staff, particularly in the areas of financial management and fraud prevention.
Delivering the keynote address, Barrister Sani Abubakar, former Registrar of the University, spoke on the topic “Understanding University Laws for Collaborative Excellence: Implications for Administration and Governance.” He explained that the objectives of University laws include the encouragement and advancement of learning, as well as providing education to all persons without discrimination based on race, creed, or sex.
He outlined the hierarchy of University management, which includes the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Registrar, University Librarian, and Council, noting that major functions of the University require Council approval. He further explained that the Senate comprises the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Deans of Faculties, Professors, Heads of Departments, the University Librarian, Director of Academic Planning, and Director of Research Institutes. According to him, the Vice-Chancellor chairs Senate meetings, while in his absence, a Deputy Vice-Chancellor or another member presides.
Barrister Abubakar also described the Council as the governing body and employer of all staff of the University, responsible for staff welfare, discipline, development, and overall growth of the institution. He noted that the Council is empowered by law to accept funds from alumni associations, the private sector, and voluntary agencies, as well as to raise funds through loans with the approval of the Visitor. He recommended the establishment of a consultative committee under the supervision of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
In her contribution, the Registrar of the University, Barrister Samira Balarabe, urged participants to be disciplined and to respect official working and productivity hours. She also encouraged them to familiarise themselves with all University handbooks in order to better understand the institution. She further tasked the staff to work as a team to achieve the mandate of the Bursary Department.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Muhammad Bashir Ali, congratulated the department for organising the training, noting that it would significantly enhance the productivity of the Bursary Department.
Another lecture was delivered by Dr. Mujitaba Abubakar Sani on the topic “Word Choice and Precision in Official Communication.” He explained that word choice involves the deliberate selection of words that accurately convey meaning, stressing that precision helps prevent misinterpretation. He warned that wrong pronunciation and improper usage of words could mislead listeners and urged participants to be cautious in their communication. He identified common problems in word choice to include vague expressions, informal language, redundancy, wordiness, and ambiguity. He also discussed precision in administrative communication, highlighting the correct use of active and passive voice, titles, similar words, and modal verbs.
The training continues tomorrow with more interactive sessions aimed at strengthening collaboration, professionalism, and efficiency among bursary and internal audit staff of Kaduna State University.