Department template

The department of Animal Science offers both Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes. Its Undergraduate Programme leads to the award of Bachelor of Agriculture (B. Agric.) Degree in Animal Science whereas the Postgraduate Programme leads to the awards of Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in different areas of specialization, including:

The duties and responsibilities of the unit are tied to why we award degrees to our graduands which are learning and character-building. Therefore, the primary duties and responsibilities of the unit are training of our graduands in deep, sound knowledge and skills in animal production geared towards making them solvers of the problem militating against increased animal production in the wider world. In doing this, the unit strictly follows the prescribed rules, regulations and procedures outlined by the University Management in achieving them. 

The structure of Animal Science Department is depicted in Figure 1.

DEAN FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

DEAN FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE

Figure 1: Organigram of the Structure of Animal Science Department

As shown in Figure 1, the Department is in the Faculty of Agriculture, headed by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture. Animal Science Department is headed by the Head of the Department. The Staff of the Department fall under two categories – Academic Staff (Section ‘B’) and Non-Academic Staff (Section ‘A’) of the organigram. Policy decisions are taken by the departmental board in line with the University laid down rules, regulations and procedures in the day-to-day running of the department.

• PHILOSOPHY OF THE PROGRAMMES

The primary philosophy of the department is to produce and equip our graduands with the required knowledge and skills in Animal Production by providing them with relevant education in Animal Agriculture as applied to all stages and phases of production and distribution of both macro- and micro-livestock and their products. Additionally, our philosophy is driven-based on the vision of promoting intensive theoretical and practical (on farm and laboratory) training in sustainable livestock production. This is achievable through the mission of promoting innovative and industry driven, collaborative and sustainable research in the basic aspects of Animal Science using the approved curriculum with strong emphasis on professional standards. The ultimate goal being to produce skilled professional manpower well-equipped with comprehensive knowledge to produce the different livestock species relevant to the national and global animal production industry.

• OBJECTIVE OF ANIMAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Animal Science Department programmes are primarily designed with the goal of producing graduates who possess sufficient knowledge and competence to effectively and efficiently perform the following:

• Own and operate profitable ventures in animal production and its related fields
• Function as high level technical staff in various facets of the Animal Industry.
• Extend the technologies involved in optimal animal production to rural communities.
• Develop innovative practices in Animal Agriculture through sound understanding of the principles and practices of animal husbandry.
• Continue to learn and acquire additional skills as new technologies emerge
• Undergo advance studies in Animal Science
• Register and practice as professional with the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science.

• PROFILE OF CURRENT HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:

The current head of department is Dr. Ntinya Cleopas Johnson. He obtained his B.Sc. (Hon.) Animal Science and M.Phil. from the Rivers State University in 1987 and 1994, respectively. M.Sc. in Swine Production and Management from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada in 2005 and a Ph.D. from the University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada in 2012.

• ACHIEVEMENTS

The department had achieved alot. Some of these achievements are stated below:

In 2016, the department was fully accredited for all her programmes by the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS).  Again, in 2018, Nigeria University Commission (NUC) also accredited all our programmes.

Dr. (Mrs) Vivian U. Oleforuh-Okoleh won the Tetfund/National Research Fund in 2021 for her Research Work on Local Chicken for which the University Administration has provided her space at the University Teaching and Research Farm to aid in facilitating the research.

In 2021, all our programmes were again re-accredited by NIAS. The department has also produced professors and senior lecturers who are making positive growths in the academic sectors as well as captains of industries.

• UPCOMING EVENTS

There is a likelihood that the department will be moving to its new campus in Etche Local Government Area before the end of 2021/2022 Academic Session.

•   PROSPECTS

Graduate of our programmes may find meaningful employments in many areas, such as

• Federal or State Civil Services as Livestock Officers
• Research Institutes with bias for Livestock as Research Officers
• State Agricultural Development Programmes
• Teachers in Post-Primary and Tertiary Institutions including Graduate Assistants in  Universities
• Private Livestock Farms established independently by them or jointy with others.
• Work as consultants with farm owners

CONCLUSION

The department is on the right tract. The department will still do more as management is already in top gear to provide the department with State-of-the-Art modern equipment for today’s animal production technologies.