TWO WEEKS RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place in the University from Monday 1st – Friday 12th September, 2025

1. In a ground-breaking ceremony, the University of Port Harcourt Management handed over the newly designed and completed structure (CRAB) to the Department of Theatre and Film Studies. The well-equipped building by TETFUND Intervention has given a lift to the status of the University as one of Nigeria’s premier universities in Arts Performance.

2. We paid an unscheduled visit to the ongoing construction site of the Energy Technology Institute donated by our strategic partner – Cyphercresent. The project which is at an advanced stage would boost the quality of research and teaching in the University and by extension the South-South region of the country. We commended the contractor for the pace of the work and adhering to the architectural plan of the building.

3. As part of its programme to “Catch Them Young” by equipping young teens with relevant tech skills, the University of Port Harcourt Center for Information and Telecommunications Engineering (CITE) concluded the 2025 Tech Stars Digital Bootcamp. Participants were trained to build robots and games, design digital solutions and coding. We urged our young and bright minds to leverage on the enormous opportunities in the Tech world. We commended Prof. O. Eseosa and his team at CITE for continuing in this laudable initiative. At the event, Leadership Award was presented to the Vice-Chancellor in recognition of his excellent and tireless dedication to the University.

4. The University of Port Harcourt Governing Council under the Chairmanship of Senator Mao Ohuanbunwa at its statutory meeting held at the Centre of Excellence, approved the elevation of 36 academic staff to the rank of Professors, 13 others were promoted to the rank of Readers and other categories of staff were also considered and approved.

5. The University Governing Council paid an unscheduled visit to the Ashgrove Academy. The delegation interacted with Management of the Academy and other members of staff. The Ag. Director, Dr. Nkoyo informed the Council of the challenges facing the Academy and directives were given for the prompt resolution of the identified challenges.

6. Members of the University Governing Council also visited the Rural Electrification Agency powered solar farm project as it nears its completion stages. The project holds great prospects of addressing the power challenges in the University and by extension power supply around the host communities. The project team assured the Governing Council that as soon as the pilot testing is completed, the actual commissioning will be done.

7. Comrade Haruna led a high-powered team from the Federal Government to monitor the implementation of the projects under the 2021 NEEDS Assessment. The Director, Physical Planning Department, Arch. Ubom showed the team several completed and ongoing NEEDS projects in the University.

8. The second semester examination of the University is currently ongoing. As our custom is, we visited several examination venues across the College and faculties to assess the level of compliance with rules and regulations guiding examinations. We charged students to aim for the best in their studies and also commended members of staff for their diligence to duty.

9. The University Management held a feel-at-home meeting with our foreign students. The Foreign Students Coordinator, Prof. Aline Noutcha introduced the students cutting across several African countries like Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Gambia amongst others. We urged our foreign students to break language and cultural barriers by integrating with their counterpart students who are Nigerians. We once again pledged our support and commitment towards providing an enabling learning environment for all.

10. Also, we received a renowned expert – Dr. Ralph Noble of Microbiotech Ltd., United Kingdom. The scholar is in the University as part of a research team on a research project with some scholars from the University. We wish the team an exciting research experience.

11. We received the upgraded laboratory equipment donated by NOTAP to the University. The project which was commissioned by the DG NOTAP underscored the usefulness of the remodelled laboratory in the improvement of research, innovation and human capacity development.

12. We also received the leadership of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Uniport branch. The executive members of the branch were accompanied by the National Women Leader, Comrade Mary Inyang, a representative of the National Executive to supervise the conduct of the by-election of the Union. We commended the Union and assured them of our continued support.

13. We received a high-powered delegation of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRCSC) on a courtesy visit to the University. The delegation came in for an inspection of the Centre for Logistics and Transport Studies (CELTRAS) for the establishment of a Driving Training Centre in the University. We commend the Director, Prof. Collins I. Wizor for this laudable initiative.

14. The University of Port Harcourt Central Administrative Building is now fully empanelled to complement the existing conventional power supply and this has improved the work efficiency of staff, courtesy of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). We commended the MD/CEO of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for this thoughtful donation and urged staff to use the facility with deliberate maintenance culture.

15. We joined staff and students of the UPWA International Secondary School for their thanksgiving service at Our Saviour’s Chapel as the graduating students danced in appreciation of God’s grace for sustaining them through the academic session, especially on the just concluded senior secondary examinations. We commended the President, Prof. Udeme o. Georgewill for the developmental strides under her administration. Prayers were offered for the pupils, teachers, parents and the entire University community. 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