Professor Raymond Bagulo Bening, a former Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS) has suggested that the satellite campuses of UDS must be maintained to preserve its uniqueness instead of disintegrating them.

He said attempts to make each of the four satellite campuses autonomous universities was not the best idea stressing that efforts must be made to strengthen as well as expand the existing structures to make UDS a first class learning institution in the country.

Professor Bening made the suggestion at the Tamale Campus of the UDS during an awards and dinner night on Saturday, organized by the school to climax its 20th anniversary celebration.

A total of 40 members of staff of the UDS including Professor Bening and 20 institutions were rewarded for playing significant roles during the formative ages of the UDS, which was established in 1992.

Professor Bening described UDS as a unique institution, which ran trimester developmental oriented programmes in multi-campuses, saying that district assemblies could rely on the various research conducted by students to spearhead development for the best of the country.

He urged the government to focus attention on providing additional infrastructure including hostel facilities for the university.

Professor Bening also charged authorities of the university to endeavour to raise funding externally to complement government to ensure the best was achieved for the school.

Dr Adam Baba Tanko Zakaria, Registrar of UDS commended the 20th anniversary planning committee of the university for executing their duties effectively and wished the awardees well in their endeavours.

He assured that UDS would continue to deliver its mandate expeditiously for the good of the country.