THIS WEEK IN RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place from Monday 17th to Friday 21st February, 2025

1. As part of our routine tour to classroom and hostel facilities in the University, we undertook an inspection visit to access the remedial work carried out on the facility to ensure a conducive learning environment.

2. At the 46th Matriculation Ceremony of the University, we administered the oath of studentship to eleven thousand, eight hundred and sixty eight (11,868) admitted students as they swore to the rules guiding their stay as students of the University. The event drew large attendance as families and friends were largely on ground to celebrate the matriculants. 

3. As we count weeks to the end of the First Semester of the 2024/2025 academic session, we continued our unscheduled visits to lectures halls to ascertain the level of compliance to lecture timetables by both Lecturers and students. As usual, we are happy to report significant compliance to the approved timetables.

4. The University community is in a celebratory mood as the Bursary Department commenced the Bursary Week. The week featured several activities including a Health Walk, Health Talk, Football Competition, Lecture/Training and Thanksgiving Service. These events afforded  members of the Bursary Department to retool themselves for the task ahead while also creating an atmosphere for relaxation and fun. We commend the Bursar, Dr. Godpower Obah for his initiative at introducing such a week-long programme aimed at rejigging the Department.

5. We participated in the orientation programme organized by the Open Distance and E-learning Centre of the University for her newly admitted students. The orientation exercise exposed the newly admitted students to the general regulations and guidelines required of them in the course of their Studies at the University. The Opening Distance and E-learning Centre offers virtual learning services and by the authority of the University Senate awards degrees. 

6. We received members of the Film Educators Guild of Nigeria (FEGON) led by its National President, Prof. Omoera Osakue. The Guild members were at the University for a one-day meeting to brainstorm on policies and initiatives aimed at uplifting the film and industry and forging collaborations with relevant institutions and agencies. We wished them well in their deliberations and assured them of our willingness to collaborate with the Guild.

7. In line with our core mandate of developing the required manpower to drive National development, a new set of Medical Doctors and Dental Surgeons were inducted. The induction ceremony which was performed by the Registrar, MDCN witnessed the administering of the Hippocratic oath on the graduands. We charged them to strive to be worthy ambassadors of the University. 

8. The expediency of the internationalization of institutions of learning is achieved through quality partnerships and collaborations. The University is in talks with the Pirogov National University Russia for a possible collaboration between both institutions. The request is at the behest of the Pirogov National University Russia and we hope to agree on mutually benefiting terms.

9. As we played host to the African Languages Conference, we received astute scholars and researchers of African Languages and other genres of literature on a courtesy visit to the University Management. The team led by the Director and Co-Founder, African Languages Conference, Ady Namaran had in the delegation, Franca Umasoye Igwe – Project & Outreach Coordinator, African Languages Conference. The annual conference is aimed at harnessing African Languages to ensure African Languages are revived and not go into extinction.

10. Also, we participated at the orientation exercise organized by the Institute of Niger Delta Studies for her newly admitted students. In our charge to the newly admitted students, we encouraged them to strive for the highest level of academic excellence as the depth of the teaching staff and learning environment conforms to international best standards. We commended the Acting Director of the Institute, Dr. Gift Okeah and his team for their initiative at repositioning the Institute.

11. We also received the Committee for Defense of Human Rights and Democracy (DHRD). The delegation which was led by its National Chairman, Comrade Christopher Solomon had other members of the organization in attendance. They commended the University Management for attracting several scholarship schemes which has enabled over 2000 students the opportunity to access the scholarship scheme.

12. We held an emergency meeting of the Committee of Provosts and Deans to deliberate on matters of urgent importance. At the end of the meeting, CPD reached actionable decisions.

13. We also participated at the inter-house sports competition of the UPWA International Secondary School. The variety of sports activities saw nine houses compete as winners in the different game categories. The event was well attended by students, parents/guardians, members of the University community amongst others. We commend the President of UPWA, Prof. Udeme Georgewill for her focused leadership style that has greatly impacted the fortunes of the School.

We appreciate the roles you all played at your various designated units during the week under review.

Do have a great weekend.

Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill,
FRSB, FIIA, FWASOT, FCSI, FFs, FWASOP, FECRMI, FIARSA, FIHSC , DFCIHTMA.
Vice-Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt