As part of efforts to raise awareness about the activities of Faculties, Units, Departments, and Directorates within the university, UNIMAID BULLETIN  interviewed Professor Hassan Zanna on March 5, 2025, in his office at the faculty. Excepts..

Q: Please can you briefly introduce yourself Sir?

A: I am Professor Hassan Zanna from the Department of Biochemistry, specializing in Enzymology and Medical Biochemistry. I assumed the position of Dean in October 2023, a year and a half ago, following the division of the Faculty of Science into two separate entities. Previously, it was a single Faculty of Science, but after approval by the Senate, it was split into the Faculty of Life Sciences and the Faculty of Physical Sciences.

Q: Can you tell us your achievements so far in the Faculty of Life Sciences?

 A: I served as the Sub-Dean of the Faculty for four years, when it was still the Faculty of Science, and later as the Dean of the Faculty. I also previously served as the Head of the Department of Biochemistry. However, following the split, the Faculty of Life Sciences established new departments. Previously, the Department of Biological Sciences was a single entity, but after the restructuring, it was divided into separate departments: Biology, Zoology, and Botany. In addition to these, three more departments—Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology—were created, bringing the total to six departments within the Faculty of Life Sciences when I assumed office as Dean in October 2023. I think I can, in all modesty, say that I have been part of these landmark developments within the faculties.

Q: As Dean, what would you say are the challenges in  the Faculty? 

A: Yes. One of the major challenges I have faced as Dean is the issue of water supply to the Essien Udom Science Complex. For about three to four years, there was no water supply to the building. I brought this to the attention of the university management, and it was eventually included in the budget. Some funds were allocated to the Works Department, allowing them to begin work and restore partial water supply—an improvement, though still insufficient. However, the project remains incomplete due to a lack of adequate funding, and we are still awaiting additional financial support.

Another pressing challenge is the issue of space. The faculty is facing serious constraints in terms of office and laboratory spaces. When the Faculty of Science was split, we were fortunate that the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Laminu Mele, was serving as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Central Administration) and chaired the Assets Sharing Committee. At the time, he proposed a plan and submitted it to management. Now, as Vice-Chancellor, he has taken proactive steps to address these issues, including the creation of new departments and offices for Heads of Departments (HODs). Previously, the Departments of Biology and Botany did not have dedicated HOD offices, but they now have their own, along with additional office spaces.

I sincerely appreciate Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammed Laminu Mele for his efforts and commitment. However, I am still appealing for more funding to further expand office and laboratory spaces. I strongly believe that even with the limited resources available, we can maximize their use to improve infrastructure within the faculty.

Q: What are your plans for the Faculty? 

A: I believe there is a strong need for the expansion of the Faculty of Life Sciences; however, space constraints remain a major challenge. Currently, all departments, except for the Department of Biotechnology, offer postgraduate programmes. Some of these programmes have expanded significantly, with new courses designed to attract more students. For instance, the Department of Microbiology, which is growing rapidly, has introduced several new programs set to commence this academic session. Other departments are also exploring similar initiatives.

However, staffing remains a critical issue, particularly in the Departments of Biology, Botany, and Zoology. This challenge is not limited to these departments alone, as even the youngest department, Biotechnology, is in urgent need of additional academic staff to support its growth. A formal request has already been submitted to university management for recruitment to address the staffing shortfall.

The Faculty of Life Sciences also plays a crucial role in providing academic services to various units, including Education students, other Science faculties, Colleges, and the Veterinary department. With over 8,000 registered students and an additional 27,000 students benefiting from its services, the faculty stands as the second-largest in the university.

Q: What is your call to the management?

A: I would like to call on the university management to address the critical needs of the Faculty of Life Sciences, particularly in the areas of staffing, water supply, office and laboratory space, and overall funding. These improvements are essential to support the faculty's growth and ensure the effective delivery of academic programs and research activities.