…The Vice-Chancellor’s Blog
It is with profound honour and divine gratitude that, I write to you today as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Benue state University of Agriculture, Science and Technology (UAST), Ihugh. Ours is not merely the inauguration of a university; it is the birth of a vision – an audacious step into the future, planted firmly on the fertile soil of Jechira and nurtured by the collective aspiration of the good people of Benue State and Nigeria.
Our University is conceived upon the three immortal pillars of *Character, Commitment, and Competence.* These are not abstract ideals but living standards by which we shall form, reform, and transform the next generation of leaders. We are resolved to produce not just graduates, but torchbearers of innovation, guardians of integrity, and entrepreneurs of solutions who will reimagine agriculture, reshape science, and recalibrate technology for the prosperity of our people – the people of Benue, the Middle Belt, Nigeria, West Africa, the African Continent and indeed the world over.
This institution is a testament to the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State – whose foresight and courage saw the necessity of an institution specially crafted to serve as the nerve-centre for agriculture, science, technology, and innovation in Nigeria. Ihugh, in Vandeikya Local Government Area, is not an accidental site – it is providentially situated: a land of great determination and fertile fields, an open laboratory for hands-on learning, research, and innovation.
UAST is conceived to run her journey with a definitive 128 carefully designed undergraduate programmes across 112 Departments housed in 14 novel Schools. Let me cite a few for emphasis:
*COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY *
*School of Precision Agriculture:*
* Agribusiness
* Food Science and Technology
* Agricultural Econs & Farm Mgt
* Agric Extension & Rural Sociology
* Family and Consumer Science
* Soil Science and Land Resources
* Water Resources & Agro-Meteorology
* Nutritional Science and Food Safety
*School of Sustainable Forestry and Green Economy:*
* Forestry & Environmental Mgt
* Wildlife & Ecotourism Mgt
* Forest Products & Bamboo Tech.
* Forest Policy, Econs & Governance
* Geospatial & Precision Agro-Forestry
* Climate-Smart Agro-Forestry
* Forest Ecology & Biodiversity Conservation
* Urban Forestry and Arboriculture
*School of Livestock & Animal Biotechnology:*
* Animal Science & Production
* Animal Genomics & Reproductive Technologies
* Precision Breeding & Genetic Improvement
* Animal Nutrition & Feed Science
* Sustainable Livestock & Agroecology
* Monogastric Science & Production
* Ruminant Science & Production
* Animal Products & Processing Technology
* Rangeland & Pasture Resources
* Sustainable Bioresource Management
*School of Fisheries & Blue Economy:*
* Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management
* Marine Science and Oceanography
* Blue Economy and Aquatic Entrepreneurship
* Aquaculture and Hatchery Technology
* Fish Processing and Fish Post-Harvest Technology
*COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY*
*School of Chemical Sciences & Chemical Technology:*
* Agricultural Chemistry
* Industrial Chemistry
* Applied Geochemistry
* Medicinal Chemistry
* Applied Biochemistry
* Agrochemical Technology
* Environmental Mgt & Toxicology
* Solid Minerals Processing Tech.
* Environmental Sustainability & Technology
* Food, Aroma & Cosmetics Chemistry
*School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences:*
* Industrial Physics
* Physics with Electronics
* Medical Physics
* Industrial Mathematics
* Applied Statistics
*School of Biological and Life Sciences:*
* Microbiology
* Zoology & Environmental Biology
* Plant Science & Biotechnology
* Genomics and Molecular Biology
*School of Earth & Climatic Sciences:*
* GIS and Remote Sensing
* Meteorology and Climate Science
* Geology and Mining
* Hydrology and Water Resources Management
* Natural Resources Development
* Ceramics Science and Technology
*School of Applied Science & Technology:*
* Forensic Science & Technology
* Brewing & Fermentation Science & Technology
* Renewable Energy & Environmental Technology
* Robotics & Automation Technology
*School of Computing & Innovation:*
* Computer Science
* Cybersecurity
* Software Engineering
* Data Science
* Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
* Scientific Information & Communication
* Information & Communication Technology
* Information Technology
* Information Systems
* Blockchain Technology
*COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES*
*School of Basic Medical Sciences:*
* Human Anatomy
* Medical Physiology
*School of Clinical Sciences:*
* Medicine
*School of Allied Health Sciences:*
* Complementary and Alternative Medicine
* Nursing Science
* Human Nutrition and Dietetics
* Public Health
* Physiotherapy
* Medical Laboratory Science
* Environmental Health Science
* Healthcare Administration and Hospital Management
* Information Technology and Health Informatics
* Radiography and Radiological Science
* Optometry
* Pharmacology
* Telemedicine and Digital Health
* Dental Technology
* Dental Therapy
*School of Dentistry:*
* Dentistry
*School of Pharmaceutical Sciences:*
* Pharmaceutical Sciences
*COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING*
*School of Engineering:*
* Automotive Engineering
* Mechatronics Engineering
* Agricultural & Bioresources Engineering
* Net-Zero Engineering
* Water Resources Engineering
* Environmental Engineering
* Telecommunications Engineering
* Biomedical Engineering
* Aerospace Engineering
* Computer Engineering
* Wood Products Engineering
* Railway Engineering
* Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering
* Petrochemical Engineering
* Mining Engineering
* Information & Communications Engineering
* Food Engineering
* Chemical Engineering
* Civil Engineering
* Mechanical Engineering
* Industrial & Production Engineering
* Electrical Engineering
* Systems Engineering
*School of Veterinry Medicine & Veterinary Laboratory Technology:*
* Veterinary Medicine
* Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology
* Veterinary Laboratory Technology
These programmes are not mere academic signposts, but mission-driven pathways to solutions, tailored to ignite innovation and enterprise. Our curriculum is woven with threads of practicality, entrepreneurship, and ethical grassroots grounding so that each graduate emerges as a solution in flesh and spirit – ready to confront poverty, food insecurity, and economic stagnation with intellect, skills, and unshakable character.
But beyond learning spaces and laboratories, UAST is committed to research relevance and community engagement. We shall walk hand-in-hand with farmers, industries, and government agencies, ensuring that our outputs are not shelved in libraries but planted in fields, factories, and marketplaces.
The establishment of UAST is not only an academic adventure. It is a bold answer to the existential challenges of our time – food insecurity, youth unemployment, and economic underdevelopment. We are persuaded that agriculture is the cornerstone of prosperity, and through this University, we shall unlock the boundless potential of Benue, the food basket of the nation, to feed Africa and beyond.
Our strategic priorities are clear:
*Character Development:* We shall instill integrity, discipline, and moral courage; for no leader can rise above the weight of their character.
*Commitment to Excellence:* We shall not settle for mediocrity; rather, we shall model academic brilliance, innovative research, and engaged service.
*Competence and Innovation:* We shall equip our learners with the intellectual and entrepreneurial arsenal to innovate locally and to compete globally.
To our prospective learners, parents, partners, and stakeholders: we assure you of a world-class, polymathic university offering, tailored to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, and the future.
As the Pioneering Vice-Chancellor, I invite you to join hands with us in this sacred journey of imagination, aspiration, innovation, and creativity. Together, let us plant the seeds of a future where agriculture is not drudgery but destiny, where science is not just abstract but applied, and where technology becomes the engine of Benue’s. Nigeria’s and Africa’s renaissance.
The future is here. The future begins here at Ihugh. The future is UAST.
With profound resolve,
Prof-Pastor Qrisstuberg Amua,
Pioneer Vice-Chancellor
University of Agriculture, Science & Technology (UAST), Ihugh
