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TWO WEEKS IN RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT
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- Published: 19 August 2024
TWO WEEKS RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT
The following events took place in the University from Monday 5th to Friday 16th August, 2024
1. We participated in the 2nd Triennial Conference of RUFORUM which held at Windhoek, Namibia with over 170 universities from across 40 universities in Africa in attendance. At the launch of the TAGDev 2.0, the University of Port Harcourt was amongst the 10 selected universities to manage the project for a period of 10 years. The theme for the triennial conference “Operationalising Higher Agricultural Agricultural Education and Research Ecosystems for Innovation, Industralization, and Economic Development in Africa: A Call for Action” had robust panel sessions from key stakeholders within and outside the academia.
2. We participated in the send forth ceremony of the University Demonstration Secondary School (UDSS) where we urged the graduands to wear the badge of champions by aiming for academic excellence as they embark on the next academic endeavour. We commended the Board of Governors, Management and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of the School for the consistency in moulding well-bred and brilliant students.
3. As part of activities of our institutional goal to carve a niche in the legal practice for staff and students, we participated in the Law Bar Conference, which had an array of legal luminaries in attendance. At the event, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Development, Prof Siminialayi Iyeopu received an Award of appreciation from the Law Students’ Bar Association, Faculty of Law, University of Port Harcourt on behalf of the Vice Chancellor in recognition the University Management’s exceptional leadership skills and dedication to the advancement of education.
4. The University of Port Harcourt takes pride in her uniqueness in terms of outstanding recognition as we yet again received the news of the selection of Professor Adanna Henri-Ukoha of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management as nominee for the 2024 TechWomen Program to be held in San Fransisco Bay Area USA. Prof. Henri-Ukoha is amogst the 103 applicants who were selected from the over 6,000 applications globally.
5. Similarly, Divine Favour Amaewhule, a student of the Department of Dentistry has emerged overall winner of the Academy of Medicine Specialities of Nigeria (Dental Section) National Essay Competition for 2024. This year’s essay competition focused on “the challenges of integration of oral health care into the primary health care in Nigeria and the solutions”. We commend the student for such brilliant performance and by extension the Faculty of Dentistry and College of Health Sciences as the win shows the depth in quality of members of staff in the University.
6. As part of plans to continue the institutionalizing the memories of late emeritus Professor Nimi Dimkpa Briggs, a new Chair occupant has been appointed . In consultation with the family of Professor Briggs, we appointed Professor Orazulike a distinguished professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology as the new Chair Occupant of the Late Prof. Briggs Professorial Chair. He was an accomplished academic, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, a renowned scholar and medical practitioner who impact criss-crossed the academic space in Nigeria and the world over.
7. To ensure prompt release of both semester and degree results, the University Management held an emergency meeting with Provost, deans of faculties, heads of departments and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the release of all pending degree results. As part of the resolutions of the meeting, all pending degree results are to be released within one week.
8. A special Convocation Ceremony was held in honour of Stephen O. Tamuno, a Professor of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences. Late Professor Stephen Tamuno was part of the pioneer set of the University of Port Harcourt and the first Alumni National President of the University of Port Alumni Association. His towering contributions as both a student and staff of the University were the hallmark of several tributes from the University Management, staff, friends, colleagues and students alike. Indeed, as a worthy Christian soldier, Prof. Tamuno has finished his race and has taken a bow. The University community will greatly miss him as we pray that his soul will continually rest in peace.
9. The University of Port Harcourt in collaboration with USAID carried out training for members of staff of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The capacity development workshop provided opportunity for members of staff to build competences in supply chain management in order to improve their knowledge and skills to impact on their quality of research and teaching. We commend USAID for this initiative and appreciate the Dean and other members of staff of the Faculty for such enriching collaboration.
10. In recognition of our contributions to the medical profession, the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State Chapter conferred on us her most prestigious “Roll of Honour Award”. The award was received by Prof. Udeme Georgewill, wife of the Vice-Chancellor on his behalf. Professors Daprim Ogaji and Rosemary Ogu were also honored with the roll of honour
11. The University community gathered to pay her last respect to another fallen hero, Dr. Jones Odili, an Associate Professor, Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, Faculty of Humanities. Dr. Odili was a very humble and unassuming young academic who distinguished himself while he served the University.
12. We participated at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Student Association Week. It was indeed a time to relish after herculean academic activities.
13. We participated in a robust meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Education Fund (Tetfund). We received the Team in the company of the Vice-Chancellors of sister-universities in the state as they came in to carry out their oversight visit and had a good time to deliberate on issues of interest to the tertiary institutions.
14. We are glad to announce that a member of staff, Michael Edafe won the Prof. Stella C. Chiemeke’s Prize for Best Research in Doctoral Consortium at the Nigeria Computer Society National Conference. We commend the Dean of the Faculty of Computing for this feat.
We appreciate the roles you all played at your various designated units during the weeks 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
