Students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) medical college are protesting an imminent hike in their hostel fees.

On Tuesday, the student affairs unit at UNILAG issued a memo announcing an upward review in the hostel fees for its medical college and pharmacy faculty in Idi-Araba, Lagos.

TheCable understands that students were also instructed to vacate the halls on Wednesday morning.

The raise, campus sources confirm, is to affect all 300-level to 600-level students and take effect in the 2024/2025 session.

The management said all MBBS/BDS students desiring a bed space in the hostel are now required to pay N100,000 for one year.

It said all B.Sc (non-medical) students seeking a bed space are required to pay N80,000.00 for two semesters.

The management said students who have paid the old rate of N65,000 should pay the difference of either N15,000 or N35,000 as applicable to balance up and obtain a single receipt from its cash office.

The hike, which has reportedly been halted, caused students to march to the administrative building of the campus in protest.

As of this report, the UNILAG public relations person is yet to respond to enquiries on the matter.

Kingsley Moghalu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has been appointed as the first president of the African School of Governance (ASG).

The African School of Governance Foundation (ASGF) disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Mahktar Diop, managing director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), said Moghalu’s leadership will drive ASG’s academic and research initiatives.

He noted that Moghalu will lead the institution’s academic vision to deliver learning programmes that reflect the complex governance challenges facing the continent.

“We are excited to welcome Kingsley Moghalu as President of the African School of Governance,” Diop said.

“His sterling track record of leadership in international and national policymaking institutions, and academia, as his thought leadership influence, will help make ASG a transformative graduate school and develop a new generation of purpose-driven leaders with the skills and mindsets to help Africa address the challenges of the 21st Century.

“Under the guidance of the Governing Board, he will focus on recruiting top-tier African faculty, fostering academic excellence, and positioning ASG as a hub for intellectual and policy innovation.”

Diop said the institution based in Kigali, capital of Rwanda, will bring together visionaries committed to creating a sustainable governance model “rooted in African realities”.

“Prominent African leaders have come together in this landmark step, as the initiative is set to transform the continent’s leadership landscape by meeting the diverse needs of leaders across Africa,” he said.

“The ASG aims to address the continent’s pressing governance challenges by equipping emerging leaders with the mindsets, skills and knowledge required for effective leadership in Africa’s future.”

In a post on X, Moghalu expressed excitement over the appointment.

“Honored to accept an invitation from African leaders and others to serve as President of the newly established African School of Governance,” he wrote.

The Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) will offer a variety of scholarships for international students for the 2025 academic year, providing opportunities for students from around the world to pursue their studies in China.

Founded in 1940, BIT, according to DAAD Scholarships, is recognized globally and included in China’s “211 Project,” “985 Project,” and “Double First-Class” initiatives.

The leading Chinese University is positioned as a top choice for those seeking education in China.

These scholarships are designed to assist students from different backgrounds and improve their academic experiences.

Reports inform that BIT presents several fully funded scholarship options that do not require an IELTS score. Among the most notable are:

1. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) – Type B: This scholarship includes full tuition coverage, accommodation or a subsidy, a monthly stipend (CNY 2,500 for undergraduates, CNY 3,000 for master’s students, and CNY 3,500 for PhD candidates), and comprehensive medical insurance.

It is available to high school graduates for undergraduate programs, bachelor’s degree holders for master’s programs, and master’s degree holders for PhD programs.

2. Beijing Municipal Government Scholarship: This scholarship offers full or partial tuition coverage for one year and is available for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students.

3. BIT International Student Scholarship: This scholarship provides a tuition fee waiver for undergraduate and dual-degree programs, targeting non-Chinese citizens applying for these programs.

4. Guangdong Government Outstanding International Student Scholarship: This award provides CNY 20,000 for master’s students and CNY 30,000 for PhD students applying to BIT’s Zhuhai Campus.

Degree Programs Offered 

BIT provides a variety of degree programs across undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels, available in both Chinese and English.

DAAD Scholarships details that popular undergraduate programs include:  

• Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering,
• Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering.

At the master’s level, students can pursue programs in Aeronautics & Astronautics Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Business Administration (MBA), among others.

PhD candidates can choose from fields such as Electronics Science, Biomedical Engineering, and Applied Economics.

Eligibility 

Reports inform that for undergraduate programs, applicants must be high school graduates aged 18 to 25, with proficiency in either Chinese or English. And while TOEFL or IELTS scores are optional for native speakers or graduates of English-taught programs, other forms of English proficiency can be accepted.

Furthermore, graduate program applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree and be under 35 years of age for master’s programs, or hold a master’s degree and be under 40 years of age for PhD programs. Also, two recommendation letters from professors are required.

Application Process 

One is informed that interested candidates can apply online through BIT’s official website.

Required supporting documents include a copy of the passport, highest degree certificate, academic transcripts, study plan, recommendation letters, and proof of physical health.

The application deadline, as reported, vary by scholarship type: the deadline for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) is February 15th, 2025, for Round 1 and April 15th, 2025, for Round 2.

While for self-funded students, the deadline is June 15th, 2025. It is of significance that applications for the spring semester must be submitted by December 15th, 2024, while the fall semester deadline is June 15th, 2025.

These opportunities, combined with a diverse range of degree programs and the absence of an IELTS requirement, make BIT one of the attractive options for those seeking to further their education in China.

Interested applicants are encouraged to explore the available scholarships and prepare their applications ahead of the deadlines.