Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, has promoted 15 senior academic staff to the ranks of Professor and Associate Professor. The move reflects the university’s growing academic strength.
Out of the 15 staff, four Associate Professors were promoted to full Professors. Eleven Senior Lecturers with PhDs were also elevated to Associate Professors.
The announcement was made during the 103rd Special Senate Meeting held on Thursday, April 9. The Vice Chancellor and Chairman of Senate, Professor Shedrack Gaya Best, presided over the meeting.
Professor Best said the promotions followed a strict and thorough assessment by the university’s Governing Council. He congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to take their new roles seriously.
“When you go to departmental and postgraduate seminars, exhibit leadership and mentorship, and help to produce your type. That is what it means to come to this cadre. It is not a light responsibility. Congratulations to all of you, and congratulations to PLASU,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the promoted staff, Professor Gonsung Christopher Longji, now a Professor of English Language, thanked the university for the opportunity. He promised that they would contribute more to teaching, research, and service.
In another development, the Senate approved the punishment of 85 students found guilty of examination malpractice. The cases were from the 2023/2024 and 2025/2026 first semester exams.
The report was presented by the Chairman of the Examination Misconduct Panel, Professor John Vau. The Vice Chancellor said the decision was necessary to protect the university’s standards.
“We have a responsibility to protect our integrity and ensure that the quality of graduates we produce meets global standards,” Professor Best said.
The Senate also received updates on new developments in the university. These include approval of 16 new academic programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Other updates include progress on facilities for the proposed Faculty of Computing and Computer Sciences, and ongoing construction of laboratories for Anatomy, Chemistry, and Physiology.
Professor Best also announced that TETFund has approved the use of the university’s Entrepreneurship Intervention Fund. He said a poultry farm has already been set up for student training and research.
“Last year, we established a poultry farm to serve as a skill acquisition center for students. In the 2025 approval, we are setting up a dairy farm in collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture,” he added.
The Vice Chancellor also announced the appointment of Dr. Rahila Dantong as the new Dean of Student Affairs. He said new measures are being introduced to address staff discipline.
The university said these developments show its commitment to academic excellence, discipline, and practical learning.
