Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) is a federal university of technology located in Bauchi, north eastern part of Nigeria. The university is named after Nigeria's first and only Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. The motto of the university is "Doctrina Mater Artium", which means "Education is the mother of the practical arts".[1]
ATBU was established in 1980 as the Federal University of Technology, Bauchi. The institution's first students were admitted in October 1981 for pre-degree and remedial programmes while the degree courses of the School of Science and Science Education began in October 1982. On 1 October 1984, the university was merged with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria with a change of name to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa College, Ahmadu Bello University, Bauchi campus. The university regained its autonomous status in 1988 following a general demerger of such institutions. This was followed by a change of name to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
The academic pattern of the university was formulated in 1980 after consultation with subject experts from Nigeria, United Kingdom and United States of America. The curriculum adopted was applied in nature, as suited a technologically based institution, and this theme was maintained in all the units of the university.
The university offers degrees through seven schools: the School of Engineering, Science, Environmental Technology, Agriculture, Management Technology, the School of Technology Education and College of Medical Sciences. It offers entry level bachelor's degrees and both Master's and Doctorate degrees. Each school is headed by a Dean/Provost who reports directly to the Vice Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor is the executive head of the university. S/he is appointed by the Federal Ministry of Education on recommendation by the Governing Council of the University.
The University Library was established in 1981 to support teaching, learning and research processes with over 1000 seating capacity, 161,672 volumes of books, 3442 journal titles and serial titles of 2117.[2] the virtual library has more than 50 computers that is internet networked with KOHA as its software use for day to day operation. the university library purchase and subscribe databases for free access to HINARI, AGTORA and ESBCOHOST etc.[3]
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Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University has a chancellor as the ceremonial head of the university, while the Vice-chancellor is the chief executive and academic officer of the university. The vice-chancellor is usually appointed for a 5-year, non-renewable term. The 8th vice-chancellor from 2019-2024 is Professor Muhammad A. AbdulAzeez.
Since inception the University has been managed by the following Chief Executives:
[5]
Currently, the university has over 30 Academic Departments, 6 Faculties, 8 Directorates and 7 Centers, with an undergraduate students’ population of over 10,000. A college of Medical Science has been established in the University and has since taken off.
The University Has the following Faculties:[1]
The University has a college of medical Sciences that offers medical and health related courses. Also, it has a college hospital Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi Teaching Hospital where medical Attentions are being attended to.
There are two directorates that provides academic support services to the university. These are:
1. Directorate of Basic and Remedial Studies
2. General Studies Directorate
The School of Postgraduate Studies of ATBU is saddled with the following responsibility:
Notable Faculty Alumni
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