The Management of University of port Harcourt has reaffirmed its commitment to excellence in character development, academic pursuit and service to humanity.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Owunari Georgewill who made this known during a press briefing on the 36th of the institution held on Monday 1 June said the University remained steadfast in its mission of advancing knowledge, promoting innovation and serving as a catalyst for positive transformation in the society and the country at large.
Professor Georgewil while pointing out visionary leadership, consistent government support and stakeholders engagement as the strength of the institution enumerated the achievements of the University so far to include infrastructural development.
“Over these years the infrastructural development of the university has been significantly increased and enhanced through the support of the federal government by ways of the needs assessment, the tertiary trust fund, the state fund, capital projects, and other intervention programmes.
“These interventions have led to the renovation of existing structures, construction of new office faculty buildings, upgrading of learning environments across faculties, rehabilitation of student hostels, construction of lecture theatres and the innovation of what we currently have in this university, as well as the ongoing construction of the South-South Zonal Multipurpose Laboratory here in the University. We are particularly grateful to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for his renewed open initiatives in tertiary institutions.
“Recently, the University received electric tricycles, which have enabled us embrace clean energy and promote environmentally friendly translation systems within our campus.
“Today, the university boasts of a state-of-the-art library with archival modern books. In addition to the ofrima legacy building, professional offices/lecture theater, center of excellence building, auditorium, there are too many numerous to mention in this one press briefing. But indeed, the university is very grateful to government, to its partners, and to all those who have supported the university in the 51 years of its existence. Let me also inform the press that today we have a new solar farm initiative, Enabled Energy Initiative. As I speak today, the University enjoys a twin four-hour solar power and electricity.
“This is initiated by the Rural Electricity Agency. and we are grateful to the federal government for this initiative that ensures that electricity challenges are in the past.
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The UNIPORT VC also said numerous academic programs have been accreditation by University regulating bodies with more new faculties created in the university.
“For example, we have faculty of computing, faculty of allied health sciences, faculty of media and communication. These are all new faculties that have come on board in order to make sure that knowledge is advanced in all directions.
“Through our academic programs, our research endeavors, and outreach initiatives, we’ve been able to be all in the Niger Delta for academic activities and research activities. We are indeed very grateful to very many companies, very many agencies who have always come to our aid to support the university. NDDC, NNPC, NLNG, NEMASA, NCMDB, the Renaissance African Energy Company, the Mitten, Cypher, Chris, and so on and so forth” he noted.
The Vice Chancellor however explained the challenges his administration faced in running the institution such as funding and land encroachment.
“Challenges Yes, there are still challenges for the university While we appreciate the rules of government, corporate borders and strategic partners There are still some unmet expectations of the University Which we still struggle with Some of them include Land encroachment ,Funding , hostel accommodation, need for construction of of more staff quarters, internal roads and streetlights, urgent needs for a new central administrative building and more office places, and very importantly, fencing of the University.
“With the provision of these amenities, we are hopeful of another 50 years of greater impact and giant strides. Looking forward. Today, we celebrate our entrepreneurial status and all our milestones achieved in the past 51 years. However, we do not relent on our laurels. as we look forward to becoming a digitalized university” the VC explained.
Professor Georgewill used the occasion to express gratitude to president Bola Tinubu, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike , past and present government of Rivers state as well as other partners for their support to the growth of the University
On the occasion of the 36th convocation ceremony of the University of port Harcourt, a total number of 8,156 graduates, out of which 5,822 are for the award of first degrees, while 510 are for post-graduate diploma, and 1,386 are for master’s degree, while 438 are for doctor of philosophy, respectively are certified for graduation.
“Among these graduates are 120 first class degree recipients, reflecting the university’s sustained commitment to academic excellence he added.
