Dickson-backed Hensard University begins operations, Kumar appointed VC

Hensard, a tertiary institution set to become Bayelsa’s first private university, has received approval to commence operations in the state.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) confirmed this to TheCable on Tuesday.

Hensard University, in a statement by its management, said the institution is to be sited in Toru-Orua, Sagbama LGA.

Toru-Orua is less than an hour’s drive from the Bayelsa International Airport in Yenagoa.

Henry Seriake Dickson, former governor of Bayelsa, is the chairman of the university’s board of trustees.

He established Hensard University through the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation.

The university, its management says, is positioning itself to drive entrepreneurship, leadership, and skills acquisition.

“Hensard is established to pursue academic excellence, character formation, discipline and commitment to service,” the tertiary institution said.

“Senator Dickson is not new to these visions. In his eight-year tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State, he prioritised education.

“The outcomes include the establishment of two universities, Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa, and the University of Africa in Toru-Orua.

“The administration’s investment in education infrastructure alone was over N200 billion.

“It was the highest expenditure on a single sector and an amount that could have built the N67 billion Bayelsa International Airport three times.”

Dickson, while speaking on the NUC approval, said the university’s vision is to produce leaders, entrepreneurs, and champions of economic and social change.

He said Hensard students will be taught entrepreneurship and encouraged to become real entrepreneurs while in school through exposure to practical involvement in the running, overseeing, and management of businesses.

The former governor said this would be done in their chosen fields and under the mentorship of the school.

“Every other form of development at the end of the day is just brick and mortar which anyone can build. The only investment that does not decay or rust is the investment in human capacity development,” he added.

KUMAR APPOINTED PIONEER VC

The university has appointed Dileep Kumar M, a professor of strategy and organisational behaviour, as its pioneer vice-chancellor.

Kumar joined Hensard University from the Nile University of Nigeria in Abuja.

Dickson described the new VC as “an internationally reputed scholar, teacher, researcher, and mentor, whose works align with Hensard’s unique approaches to higher education”.

“The thrust of researches, his precocious publications, patents, global experience, and intellectual status, match the benchmarks that Hensard University has set to produce global leaders whose relevance would be drawn from their commitment to improving communities and the larger society.”

Commenting on his appointment, Professor Kumar said: “I am glad to be in Hensard University as we start the unique transformation of people so that they can improve society. Hensard would be at the forefront of seeking out new frontiers of knowledge in the search for answers to challenges humanity faces.

“Our research centres, institutes, international linkages, dual certifications and the dedication of my colleagues are available as we commit to serving our students and communities the Hensard advantage.”

The university also announced the appointment of Professor Prekeyi Tawari-Fufeyin as the deputy vice-chancellor.

Tawari-Fufeyin was a deputy vice-chancellor at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun.