BY GBENGA OLARINOYE, OSOGBO
AUTHORITIES of the Adeleke University AU, Ede have faulted the non-inclusion of private universities in the N200b intervention fund released to public universities by the Federal Government.

Briefing newsmen on the activities to mark the university’s third founder’s day, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Gideon Oluwole Amusan stated that since both the private and public universities are working towards the same goal, it would have been better if private universities were also included in the scheme.

He, however, added that, “we are not asking the Federal Government to give us equal treatment with the public universities, but certainly it is not out of place if private universities are given some token as life line.”
According to him, private universities in the country pay higher taxes to the Federal Government than any of the public universities, saying that if any benefit is coming to the universities, it should not be discriminatory.

Amusan disclosed that the university is currently running 13 programmes, while it has concluded arrangements to add 15 new programmes including Law and Pharmacy by the next academic session.

He also hinted that the university is collaborating with other renowned universities both within and outside the country to provide quality education that would lead to excellence and self-reliance by graduates of the university.

“The university partners with various universities within and outside the country to expose faculty and students to opportunities for enriching their educational experiences through carefully prepared memoranda of understanding,” he added.

He explained that the university was rated high by the National Universities Commission (NUC) during its accreditation, stressing that the institution would strive to maintain its high academic excellence.