By Favour Nnabugwu

Determined to have a maintain standard for operation of academic programme at the post graduate level of nation’s university education, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has developed benchmark for minimum academic standards for thirteen post graduate disciplines.

Speaking after receiving the documents from NUC Executive Secretary, the minister of education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’I stated that the development of Benchmarks Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) for postgraduate education in Nigeria will be useful as a reference document for the accreditation of postgraduate programmes in Nigerian universities.

She said the development of the BMAS for the 13 disciplines in the Nigerian university system will help all universities across the country to start and complete postgraduate programmes simultaneously.

The BMSAS according to her will help immensely in research work adding that it is a known fact the world over that the art of meaningful research begins at the postgraduate level.

The production of more graduate students she said will definitely increase the quantity and quality of research in the Nigerian university system.

This she said will in turn encourage the industry to patronise the universities to meet their yearning in research and development needs; as well strengthening the weak link between the universities and the industry and propelling the national innovation system to the desired level.

Prof Rufa’I noted that before the development of the MBA BMAS which served as a pilot for the other postgraduate programmes, the MBA programme was run haphazardly across the system.