The Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State, on Saturday matriculated 1,909 students, marking a major milestone in the institution’s academic journey since it commenced operations in September 2025.
The matriculation ceremony, held at the university’s main auditorium in Kachia, formally admitted the students into the academic community of the newly established federal institution.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnaba Qurix, described FUASK as a young but fast-growing university established to promote applied sciences, innovation, and practical skills development.
Qurix said the institution was deliberately structured to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical innovation, with the aim of producing graduates who are technically competent, entrepreneurial, and globally competitive.
“Our university is designed to close the disconnect between theory and practice. We are committed to producing graduates who possess hands-on skills, innovative capacity, and the ability to solve real-world problems,” he said.
He disclosed that the university currently runs 18 academic programmes across seven faculties, with emphasis on rigorous instruction, industry-based learning, research, and community engagement.
The Vice-Chancellor added that the rapid growth of the institution had been supported by massive infrastructure development, largely funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, the Kaduna State Government, and other strategic partners.
According to him, several lecture halls, laboratories, workshops, administrative offices, and access roads have been completed to ensure a conducive teaching and learning environment.
Qurix also assured students and parents of adequate security on campus, noting that the university had strengthened collaboration with relevant security agencies to safeguard lives and property.
He stressed that student welfare, both academic and social, remained a top priority of the management, while acknowledging the hospitality and support of the Kachia community and the local government authority, which he said contributed to the smooth take-off of the university.
The Vice-Chancellor further acknowledged the support of prominent Nigerians and institutions towards the development of the university.
He said the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, donated vehicles, approved land, constructed the main access road to the campus, and provided financial support, including land allocation for future expansion.
According to him, the Defence Headquarters and Air Vice Marshal Rabiu Dabo facilitated the renovation of student hostels, while Senator Sunday Marshal Katung donated three vehicles for the use of principal officers.
He added that Hon. Dan Amos also provided an ambulance to strengthen the university’s health services.
Qurix expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Education, the Minister of Defence, the Pro-Chancellor, Bishop Matthew Kukah, and other stakeholders for their support.
“These gestures reflect the confidence of our leaders in the vision of this university and their commitment to national development through education,” he said.
He reiterated the university’s focus on product development, entrepreneurship, and innovation, stressing that FUASK graduates would not only earn degrees but also acquire marketable skills capable of creating jobs and providing practical solutions to societal challenges.
The Vice-Chancellor charged the students to uphold high moral standards, including honesty, discipline, integrity, and decent dressing, in line with the university’s regulations.
“A graduate of FUASK is expected to be globally relevant while remaining locally impactful,” he added.
Qurix disclosed that the 1,909 students were selected from over 4,000 applicants, describing this as an indication of the growing acceptance and appeal of the new federal institution.
Delivering a lecture titled ‘University Culture’, the guest speaker, Prof. Andrew Haruna, Secretary-General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, described a university as more than a centre for academic learning, but a community built on shared values, traditions, and responsible conduct.
Haruna urged students to embrace maturity, personal responsibility, and ethical behaviour, while warning against social vices such as cultism, sexual misconduct, and drug abuse.
“Education is not merely about acquiring certificates. It is about building character, developing critical thinking, and cultivating a lifelong commitment to service,” he said.
He encouraged the students to actively participate in academic activities, university traditions, and extracurricular engagements, noting that these were essential for leadership development, teamwork, and community service.
In a goodwill message, the Executive Chairman of Kachia Local Government Area, Dr Manzo Maigari, who represented Governor Uba Sani at the event, reiterated the readiness of the Kaduna State Government to support the success of the institution.
He said the state and local governments were already working closely with the university to ensure the smooth conduct of academic activities, adding that the institution would significantly transform the socio-economic life of Kachia, Kaduna State, and the country at large.
On his part, the Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Kachia, who was represented by Capt. Sant Mammada assured the military’s readiness to provide security for students.
According to him, student accommodation from next year would be restricted to designated areas to guarantee safety, stressing that the security of students remained a top priority for the military and other security agencies operating in Kachia.
“We want to assure you that security personnel have been reinforced to contain any situation that could threaten students or residents of Kachia,” he said.
He added that security patrols would be intensified, particularly at night, while emergency contact numbers had been provided to students and residents to ensure a swift response to any threat.
Some parents expressed satisfaction with the establishment of the university, noting that it would positively shape the academic prospects and future careers of their children.
The students, on their part, expressed excitement at being admitted as pioneer undergraduates of the institution, pledging to remain disciplined and give their best to achieve positive academic outcomes while upholding the university’s ideals.
PUNCH Online reports that with the matriculation of its pioneer students, FUASK is positioning itself as an emerging centre of excellence in applied sciences, with a strong commitment to innovation, skills acquisition, and character development in Kaduna State and beyond.
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