The second year of the State University of Bamenda will soon be on course with management committed to work as a team to promote academic excellence, demonstrate good governance and exhibit transparency. In effect, the 2012/2013 academic year will soon rumble off in the University of Bamenda where the pioneer Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellors and Directors are working round the clock to break the yoke of challenges and make the institution the true "University of the future, the Harvard of Africa."

On-the-spot in its Bambili campus, it is evident that the University will resume the new academic year with the same two Schools and three Faculties as in 2011/2012 (Higher Teachers Training College - HTTC, Higher Teachers Technical Training College - HTTTC, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science and the Higher Institute of Commerce and Management). As at press time, the University was busy organising competitive examinations and selecting students to enrol in the respective schools and faculties.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Tafah Edocat Edward says for the 2012/2013 academic year, the University will handle between 7,500 and 8,000 students. Final results of the competitive examination to recruit students into the Nursing and Laboratory Departments were still being awaited as at press time while recruitment examinations and selection into the Department of Medicine, HTTC, HTTTC, the Higher Institute of Commerce and Management and the Faculty of Science has been scheduled to run from September 29th to mid October, 2012.

Created on the strength of Presidential Decree No. 2010/371 of December 14, 2010, the University of Bamenda commissioned its pioneer Deputy Vice Chancellors, Registrar, Directors and Technical Advisers on August 16, 2012. Prof Tafah Edocat urged them to sustain the official Anglo-Saxon mission assigned the University and fine-tune it to Cameroon's bicultural character as per the text of its creation. Among the first departmental heads to lead the University is the Director of Students Affairs to deal with the constituency of students.

Prof. Galega Sagena will come face to face with students' challenges when the academic year takes off. He is expected to chart actions that will keep the students comfortable and spirited. He is also expected to ensure that the Division of Housing, Catering, Recreation, Admissions and Records, and Health are put to the best advantage of students of the University. Away from that, challenges of inadequate infrastructure and the acute shortage of lecturers stare the University's leadership in the face ahead of the 2012/2013 academic year.