Professor Chief Samson N. Abangma, Registrar of the University of Buea told Cameroon Tribune in an interview as the insititution prepares to reopen its doors for the 2013/2014 academic year.
Professor, how effectively have lectures begun in the University of Buea ?
Effective classes started after The Senate met last 16 October. About 6.000 students are coming in this year, a bit less than last year's 6.056. Although, those who finally took up admission offers last year were about 5.600. The figure of newcomers will take the university population to 17.000-18.000 in 2013-2014. This number will be catered for by 226 lecturers.
What is the cost of running the University of Buea within one academic year?
Running a University is divided into recurrent and investment budgets. The recurrent is about FCFA 4 billion. Then, investment including funded research from national and overseas sources takes about FCFA 1.5 billion. So it may take some FCFA 6 billion in one academic year. Our running cost does not include salaries for academic staff that are paid by the Ministries in charge of Finance and the Public Service.
You talked of investments, which are the new projects earmarked for this year?
For the last few years, concentration has been on the Faculty of Health Sciences where government has put in a lot of money to put up new buildings which were inaugurated a few days ago by Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo, Minister of Higher Education. For this year, we intend to build one structure for the Advanced School of Translators and Interpreters. It will be what we call the Faculty Block. It will comprise of conference rooms, offices for the administration of the School and the academic staff, some smaller lecture rooms, conference rooms, and other facilities.
How do you assess UB's infrastructure this academic year?
We have a 250-seat amphitheatre as well as five 150-seat amphis. The biggest amphi we have is 750 seats and one other which was built two years ago called amphi-600. Among the classroom blocks, we have four lecture rooms that can take up to 150 sitting spaces. We have one of the best libraries in the country. We now have a large library containing over 150.000 volumes. In terms of laboratories, we have very well-equipped ones. We even have an anatomy laboratory which is unique in Cameroon. In addition, our diagnostic laboratories will soon be providing services to the public.
You mentioned about 226 lecturers at UB. May you clarify public opinion that UB has very few terminal degree holders as lecturers and is using more Masters Degrees than PhDs?
That is a wrong impression. I would say that not having a PhD is just the exception. Most of those yet to have a terminal Degree are well advanced in their PhD research. And the number is reducing every year. Many defended their PhDs within the year. I can cite the Faculties of Education, Sciences. More than half of lecturers have their terminal Degrees. We have probably the highest rate of success among the Universities in Cameroon which can be situated at 80 percent.
What accommodations have you for the 17.000 students of your institution?
The University of Buea is very deficient in terms of halls of residence. For the 20 years that we have existed, we have inherited from the former University Centre just 100 beds. But to alleviate that problem, UB has concluded a contract with a firm to build 5000-bed hostels in two phases. The firm was here two weeks ago and the Chinese will soon begin the construction. A shopping mall is also envisaged for staff and students of UB.
Which are the various sectors of study offered in UB?
The University has nine establishments. There are Faculties, Schools, and a College. We have some seven Faculties: Arts, Education, Engineering, Science, Health Sciences, Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, and Social and Management Sciences. We have a College of Technology. And we have an Advanced School of Translations and Interpreters.
As we speak, what is the social climate of the University of Buea as compared to last academic year when there were many upheavals?
As you can see for yourself, the campus is very calm. Students, staff and everybody is going on with their business. It is a good sign that the academic year is starting on the good foot. We pray that it should continue for the rest of the year.
What is UB's appeal to the public?
The University of Buea is founded on the principle of Anglo-Saxon tradition. Admissions have been for many years selective, rigorous but fair. We like to ask parents to press upon their children that the University is a place where there is freedom of action, but it is freedom under the law. Regulations exist. It is not the students who should think that they can act without respecting regulations that bind all of us. The University of Buea remains the Place to Be.
