TWO WEEKS RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place from Monday 18th to Friday, 29th May, 2026

1. The Search Team for the appointment of the 10th Vice-Chancellor has formally commenced its assignment under the chairmanship of Hon. Salami, a member of the Governing Council. The Pro-Chancellor, Senator Mao A. Ohuabunwa charged the Committee to conduct a diligent, transparent, and thorough search for other candidates and wished the Team a successful exercise.
2. “From Curiosity to Contributions: Reflections of a Chemical Engineer Across Different Frontiers” was the title of the 45th Valedictory Lecture brilliantly delivered by Professor Ayoade Oludayo Kuye as he gracefully bows out of active service on meritorious retirement.
   We thanked him for his years of dedicated service and invaluable impact on generations of students and scholars and wished him a peaceful and fulfilling retirement in good health.
3. We are pleased to receive the commendable report that the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) and the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have emerged as regional winners in the NCDMB-sponsored Engineering Olympiad. The achievement highlights the excellence, innovation, and competitiveness of both institutions in engineering education and underscores the continued leadership in producing outstanding problem-solvers in the field.
   The University community celebrates this remarkable feat and commends the students and Faculty for bringing pride and recognition to their respective institutions and to the nation at large.
4. As academic activities for the Second Semester of the 2025/2026 session commence, we warmly welcome our students back to campus and wish them a productive, successful, and fulfilling semester. We also express our sincere appreciation to our amiable workforce for their unwavering commitment, dedication to duty, and continued service to the University. Your efforts remain central to sustaining a stable and productive academic environment.
5. We received the Career Services Intervention Centre Team as they presented to us an Award of Unparallel Support in recognition of our unwavering commitment to the Centre. We are pleased that the Centre has continued to effectively carry out its mandate of guiding and supporting students in rethinking their career choices for lifelong relevance, personal development, and meaningful impact in University.
6. At the Annual Federal Education Sector Games (FEDUGAM 2026) held at Sharks Stadium, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Owunari Abraham Georgewill, represented the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, and formally declared the event open. In his address, the Honourable Minister emphasized the importance of collaboration, unity, commitment to service, and national cohesion within the education sector. The event also promoted teamwork, healthy interaction, and mutual understanding among stakeholders in the education family. The National Examinations Council (NECO) emerged as the overall winners of FEDUGAM 2026. Presenting the trophy on behalf of the Honourable Minister, Professor Georgewill commended the team for their outstanding display of unity, teamwork, and excellence throughout the competition.
7. The University of Port Harcourt has commenced registration for the Post-UTME Screening Exercise. Candidates who chose the University as their First Choice in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and obtained a minimum score of 160 are hereby invited to apply for the Post-UTME Screening Exercise for admission into the University.
8. We participated in the Maiden International Virtual Conference themed: “Advancing Management Sciences,” organized by the Department of Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, in collaboration with the African Policy & Research Consortium (APRC) and Shine Bright Universal Services Limited.
   The Conference provided a platform for scholars, researchers, professionals, and industry stakeholders to engage in insightful discussions on emerging trends, innovations, and contemporary issues in Management Sciences aimed at fostering research excellence, policy development, and sustainable growth. We commended the Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences and the Head of the Department of Management for this initiative.
9. We commissioned the Language Laboratory of the Department of English Studies, graciously built and donated by Professor Psalms Chinaka. The facility is expected to enhance language teaching, learning, research, and communication skills development among students, while also providing a modern and conducive environment for academic excellence and practical training in language studies.
10. We joined the Students’ Union, Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Young Pharmacists Group (YPG), and the Leo Club, University of Port Harcourt, in commemorating the 2026 World Menstrual Hygiene Day. With the theme, “Pad-a-Girl,” members of the University student community were sensitized on the importance of proper menstrual hygiene and the need to maintain self-confidence during the menstrual cycle.
11. We are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Bonn. The signed agreement will strengthen academic and scholarly links between both institutions specifically the Faculties of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Port Harcourt and Faculty of Arts of the University of Bonn. We commend Profs. Daisy Onyige, Hoch and Conermann for their facilitating the signing of the agreement.
12. The School of Graduate Studies conducted seminars and final doctoral defenses as part of the requirements for the award of doctoral degrees. Across the respective panels, we observed a high level of ownership of the research work, as well as significant contributions to knowledge clearly mapped out in the dissertations. We commend the School of Graduate Studies for maintaining high standards and ensuring that the pursuit of a postgraduate degree at the University remains both rigorous and worthwhile.
13. “Let Us Play” was the captivating topic of the 212th Inaugural Lecture of the University, delivered by Professor Emmanuel Emesealu. In his lecture, the inaugural lecturer posited that theatre, beyond being a medium of entertainment, serves as a powerful cultural, philosophical, and therapeutic force capable of transforming society.
14. All is now set for the hosting of the world-class 36th Combined Convocation Ceremony of the University, scheduled to hold from 1st to 6th June, 2026. On behalf of the Governing Council, Senate, and Management, I am honoured to invite the entire University Community to participate in the 36th Convocation Ceremony of the University.

The week-long event will commence on Monday, 1st June, 2026, and culminate in the conferment of Postgraduate Degrees on Saturday, 6th June, 2026.

Members of the University Community are hereby encouraged to actively participate in all the activities lined up for the celebration.

You are all warmly welcome.

We appreciate the roles you all played at your 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