By Dr. Nafiu Zadawa
Students of the 300 Level Social Standard Programme under the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU, Bauchi, have embarked on a study field trip to some institutions in Bauchi State.
The institutions visited included the College of Administration and Social Studies, Ningi, and the Development Exchange Centre, (DEC), Bauchi.
The field trip, which forms part of the requirements for the B.Sc Sustainable Social Development programme under the Social Standards Node, was aimed at exposing the students to the practical aspects of social work as a practice-based profession.
Leading the Students, the Deputy Centre Leader, Social Standards, Dr Abdullahi Nafiu Zadawa, said the students were on the study trip to learn first-hand the teaching of social development-related courses and empowerment activities.
Dr Zadawa said the visit was also intended to enable the students to appreciate that there are institutions offering programmes closely related to what they are studying at the university.
He called for stronger collaboration between the institutions and the Social Development programme at ATBU in order to achieve the shared objectives.
During the visits to both Ningi and Bauchi, Dr. Zadawa presented the prospectus of the SPESSCE ATBU programme and the courses offered at undergraduate, Master’s and PhD levels to the managements of both institutions.
He explained that students are currently benefitting from the World Bank scholarship support, with only Professional Master’s and PhD students required to pay certain fees, while undergraduate students receive their studies free of charge.
At the College of Administration and Social Studies, Ningi, the Provost, Malam Adamu Aliyu Yusuf, said the College, established in 1998, offers various programmes related to social development and administration and has since produced many graduates who are currently working in various sectors of the economy.
Addressing the Students, the Executive Director, DEC, Bauchi, Mrs. Helen Abah, said the Centre is an independent, non-governmental organisation established in 1986 with the aim of improving the lives of women without discrimination on the basis of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.
Mrs. Abah said the organisation contributes to different sectors of community development through the implementation of various programmes aimed at improving the living conditions of the people. She encouraged the students to remain focused on their studies, noting that they have a bright future in the field of social development.
