RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT (14th to 18th July and 4th to 8th August, 2025)

The following events took place from Monday 14th to 18th July and Monday 4th to Friday 8th August, 2025.

1. The Centre for Information and Telecommunication Engineering (CITE), commenced the 2025 Catch Them Young Tech Stars holiday bootcamp to train and equip young minds between the ages of 8-12 years. Participants would be trained on Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, UI/UX and Web Development, Data Analytics and Machine Language. We commend the Director of the Centre for sustaining the Catch Them Young Vision.
2. We participated in the Strategic Networking Workshop on University-Industry collaboration organized by the National Universities Commission in partnership with the West of England at the Julius Okojie building, NUC Abuja. We were amongst the five universities selected from the geo-political zone to participate at the workshop. Vice-chancellors, policy leaders, industry practitioners and international experts were amongst the participants.
3. We received Award of Excellence from the Association of Educational Management and Policy Practitioners in recognition of our sterling administrative performance.
4. Huawei, a leading Tech firm held an interactive session with students of the University to train and sensitize our young undergraduates with relevant IT skills and certifications. We commend Hauwei Technologies, one of our strategic partners and Dr. Augustine Ugbari for the well organised programme.
5. Prof. Omenihu C. Nwaorgu of the Political and Administrative Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences presented the 38th Valedictory Lecture of the University. The valedictorian bared his mind on “Reason and Demise of Integrity in the Academia and Society: A Dance in Rags? stimulating a dialogue beneath the outward elegance of academic ceremony to a disturbing dissonance, a choreography of decay, performed in tattered garments of lost virtue. The event was well-attended and we wish our retiring Prof. Omenihu C. Nwaorgu longevity in good health.
6. The University Senate at its 488th meeting, elected the following as new Deputy Vice-chancellors as the tenure of the present officials elapses in few weeks. The newly elected DVCs are: Prof. Chukwudi Onyeaso – Deputy Vice-chancellor (Administration), Prof. Rosemary Ogu -Deputy Vice-chancellor (Academic), Prof. Angela Frank-Briggs – Deputy Vice-chancellor (R&D). We congratulate the newly appointed deputies and commend the outgoing DVCs for their support to the Vice-chancellor and worthwhile service to the University.
7. In a solemn moment of grief, we received students and staff of the Certificate programme as they marched through the University in honour of a departed student who died in a motor accident. We commiserate with the immediate family and members of the university community on this painful loss. We also held candle light in honor of late Miss Oluchi Okoh, a 3-hunred level student of the Department of Economics who died in the same crash. We commiserate with the family and pray for the repose of the departed souls.
8. We paid a scheduled visit to the Ashgrove Academy as the 2025 JUPEB examination was administered to the students. We were impressed with coordination of staff and students.
9. Winners of the University of Port Harcourt Inter-Faculty Debate emerged at the grand finale as hosted by the Academic Planning, Research and Control Unit in collaboration with the UniPort Debate Club. We commended Prof. J. A. Ajienka, former Vice-chancellor for generously sponsoring the debate. We congratulate the Faculty of Science for emerging as overall winner.
10. We also participated at the Building Young Entrepreneurs Grant competition organized by the University of Port Harcourt Entrepreneurship Centre. Students with impressive entrepreneurship outputs were rewarded with cash gifts.
11. The Department of Theatre and Film Studies, Faculty of Humanities, held her 1st International Conference on Creative Economy, Digital Innovation and Sustainable Development. The event which was declared open by the Vice-chancellor, Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill who was ably represented by the Deputy Vice-chancellor (R&D), Prof. Iyeopu M. Siminialayi was well attended.
12. In furtherance of the renewed hope agenda of the President as targeted through NELFUND, we received the Special Assistant to the President and the MD – NELFUND as part of their South-South engagement to tertiary institutions in the zone. Students were sensitized on the enormous opportunities and ease of assessing the Fund.
13. The 170th meeting of the University Principal Officers held on Friday 8th August, 2025 to discuss and take necessary decisions on matters of importance bothering on the smooth functioning of the University, staff welfare amongst others. We also received presentations from previously submitted proposals. We commend the Management for their contributions.

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