31/10/2024
National Universities Commission’s Resource Verification Visit to the B.A. Christian Theology Programme of St Albert Institute, Kaduna State
1.0 Preamble
The academic discipline of Theology plays a crucial role in shaping moral, ethical, and philosophical frameworks within society. As an academic programme, it aims at providing individuals with a comprehensive understanding of religious principles, theological perspectives, ethical considerations and ecclesiastical and public administrative skills. Since 2016 when the Theology Programme was mounted in St Albert Institute, it has blessed the Seminarians of the Christ the King Major Seminary, the Religious Institutes of Consecrated Persons, the teeming Catholics and Non-Catholics in the Diocese of Kafanchan and beyond in no small measure. Those amongst them who are desirous of acquiring an in-depth knowledge of Christian Theology to either satisfy their curiosity or to further enrich their catechetical engagements are offered the opportunity to pursue their goals without having to travel far. It is important to note that Courses like Biblical Studies, Islamic Studies, Ethics, Bioethics, Moral and Systematic Theologies, Counselling, Conflict Resolution, Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism prepare Students to take up leadership responsibilities not only in Churches and Religious Organizations, but also in Education, Business, and the Public Sector where religious values offer a strong foundation for success. These were some of the objectives that led to the mounting of the Programme.
2.0 Affiliation of Theology Programme to Veritas University, Abuja
When in 2016, the Christian Theology Programme was mounted in St Albert Institute, it was not affiliated to any conventional University in Nigeria. This is because at the inception of the Programme, the NUC’s Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) for Undergraduate Programmes which is the manual that guided Nigerian Universities in the development of their Curricula did not have Christian Theology as a Course. The closest to Christian Theology that was studied in our Nigerian Universities was Religious Studies. In fact, it is on record that Veritas University is the first and the only Nigerian University to mount Christian Theology. It is this feat that was achieved by Veritas that informed the decision of the Governing Council of St Albert Institute, ably led by Professor Mike Kwanashie, to approach Veritas University for a possible affiliation arrangement for our Christian Theology Programme. Consequently, on May 14th 2024, Veritas University visited with St Albert Institute to verify if St Albert has sufficient resources to continue with the Programme. The exit report mentioned among many things that:
Based on the comprehensive findings of the Resource Assessment Panel, it is evident that the St. Albert Institute's Bachelor of Arts in Christian Theology programme meets the required standards set forth by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS). The programme’s alignment with Educational Philosophies, robust curriculum, rigorous academic regulations, and effective skills acquisition processes underscores its capability to deliver quality Theological Education.
Key strengths include a well-defined curriculum, adherence to NUC admission standards, a functional course evaluation system, and a robust internal quality assurance mechanism. The programme has a strong research culture and collaboration, as evidenced by Journal publications, strong alignment with academic standards, effective quality assurance mechanisms, adequate staffing, and excellent physical and digital resources which makes it suitable for affiliation. The library resources, including a well-stocked physical library and a robust e-library, are commendable and support both teaching and research activities effectively.
Therefore, it is recommended that the University Senate approve the affiliation of St. Albert Institute with Veritas University, Abuja.
The Senate of Veritas University, after extensive deliberations on the report of the Resource Assessment Panel, gave a unanimous assent to the Affiliation arrangement between St Albert Institute and Veritas University. On June 13, 2024 an MOU for the Affiliation arrangement was signed in the presence of the Principal Officers of the two Institutions. Furthermore, with a letter, NUC/AP/P29/Vol. 1/85, dated 12th July 2024, the National Universities Commission, communicated to us its approval of our affiliation arrangements with Veritas University for the B.A. Christian Theology. This is indeed a huge milestone in the annals of Veritas University and St Albert Institute. The ratification of the entire affiliation arrangement process by NUC makes St Albert Institute the first Institution in Nigeria to have its undergraduate Programme affiliated to Veritas University and the Second after Veritas University to offer Christian Theology as a Course. St Albert Institute now has two Degree Awarding Programmes namely, B.A. Philosophy in affiliation with the University of Jos and B.A Christian Theology in affiliation with Veritas University, Abuja.
3.0 NUC’s Resource Verification of Christian Theology Programme in St Albert Institute
Although the National Universities Commission had earlier approved the affiliation arrangements between St Albert Institute and Veritas University, it however organized a resource verification exercise for the programme to ensure that the services being offered by the Institute are in sync with international best practices. Hence, on Wednesday October 23, 2024, the Institute hosted NUC and the representative of Veritas University, who were on ground to appraise our Christian Theology Programme. The exercise was not only painstaking but also very rigorous. The Resource Verification Panel took time to evaluate the physical structures and the personnel of the Programme. At the end of the exercise the NUC panel expressed satisfaction with what they met. The Panel was highly impressed by the Staff mix and Student/Staff ratio, the currency and accessibility of the Books in the physical Library and E-library and of course the physical structures that are dedicated to the Programme. The Panel in line with its mandate offered the Institute some tips on how to improve its service delivery. At the end of the exercise we had an awesome exit report.
4.0 Admission Requirement into the Christian Theology Programme
4.1 Direct Entry: “A” Level Passes in Arts, Sciences and Social Sciences Subjects NCE/ND/First Degree (Second Class Lower)
4.2 O’ Level: Five (5) “O” Level Credit Passes to include English Language and CRS/IRS (in not more than two sittings).
4.3 UTME Subjects Combination:
English Language and any other three Arts, Science or Social Sciences Subjects.
Eligible Candidates:
1. All Candidates Interested in Studying at St Albert Institute even if it is not their 1st choice in JAMB but have obtained a minimum score of 170 points at the UTME can do a change of Institution via JAMB’s portal from Institute of choice to St Albert Institute (NB: the 2024/2025 Admission Process will be conducted outside the Central Admission Process (CAPS) of JAMB).
2. Direct Entry Candidates.
3. Candidates wishing to transfer from other Universities to St Albert Institute.
4. All other Students that desire integral professional training combined with moral, spiritual and cultural formation.
5.0 Tuition and other Fees
The total tuition for an Academic year is One Hundred and Ninety-Eight Thousand, One Hundred Naira Only (N 198,100), excluding the Departmental Fees.
5.1 Accommodation
There is an accommodation arrangement for the Non- Seminarian Students and it goes for Twenty Thousand Naira (N 20, 000) per annum.
6.0 Postscript
The entire Staff and Students of the Albertine Community are super excited with the Resource Verification Visit and the corresponding Exit Reports. We are equally inviting all, irrespective of their Religious affiliation and creedal leaning to come and study in our Institute. The decision to study in our environment will answer many of your faith-based and general questions and quench your cravings and yearning for a holistic formation in the Theological Sciences.
Very Rev Fr. Emmanuel Faweh KAZAH, Ph.D
Rector
