TWO WEEKS RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place at the University from 8th to 19th June, 2026

1. At the 431st Meeting of the Committee of Provost and Deans (CPD) held on Friday, 19th June 2026, the overall results of the recently concluded Post-UTME Screening Exercise were presented for consideration and approval. Following an exhaustive deliberation on the general performance of candidates, the Committee made appropriate decisions and recommendations to guide the admission process for the 2026/2027 Academic Session.
2. We participated in the maiden White Coat Ceremony of the College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the training of medical students, signifying their transition from pre-clinical studies to clinical medicine and formally welcoming them into the next phase of their journey toward becoming medical professionals.
3. The University of Port Harcourt continues to attract prominent academic and professional associations as a preferred destination for the hosting of conferences, workshops, and other high-profile events. In further demonstration of this growing reputation, the University played host to the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) during its 2026 Annual Marketing Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM).

In our opening remarks, we warmly welcomed the President and the Registrar of the Institute and other participants to the University of Port Harcourt. We expressed our appreciation for choosing the University as the venue for this important gathering. We also wished them fruitful deliberations and a successful conference.

4. We also participated in the Annual Conference of the Department of Educational Management. It is worthy to note that the conference has been hosted by the University of Port Harcourt for the past five consecutive years, reflecting the University’s sustained support for scholarly engagement and its growing stature as a hub for academic conferences and intellectual exchange.
5. As the Chief Examiner representing the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Rivers State, we undertook scheduled monitoring visits to the designated centres where the JAMB mop-up examination was conducted. Having served in this capacity for the past five years, we commend the management of JAMB for the continuous improvements introduced into the examination process, which have made the exercise increasingly seamless, efficient, and transparent. These advancements have significantly enhanced the conduct of the examination and contributed to a more satisfactory experience for candidates and other stakeholders.
6. Following the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Policy Meeting at which the national minimum admission benchmarks for Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education were determined, the University of Port Harcourt successfully conducted its 2026/2027 Post-UTME Screening Exercise.

However, in consideration of candidates who were unable to participate on their scheduled screening dates, as well as those who recently sat for the just-concluded JAMB mop-up examination, the University Management has approved Monday, 27th July 2026, for a mop-up Post-UTME Screening Exercise. This arrangement is intended to provide all eligible candidates with an additional opportunity to participate in the screening process and be considered for admission into the University.

7. At the 46th Valedictory Lecture Series of the University, Professor Emmanuel C. Emasealu, a distinguished scholar in the field of Theatre and Film Studies, formally took a bow out of the service of the University after a meritorious and impactful career. Through an emotional and reflective lecture titled “Hello and Goodbye: My Curtain Call,” he shared insights from his academic journey, celebrated his contributions to scholarship and mentorship, and expressed gratitude to colleagues, students, and the University community for the opportunities and experiences that shaped his career.
8. At the 21st Senate Valedictory Session, we joined members of Senate and guests of the retiring professors to formally honour and celebrate those who had attained the statutory retirement age. The occasion was marked by heartfelt tributes and commendations, highlighting the invaluable contributions of these academic giants to scholarship, mentorship, and the growth of the University over the years.
9. We are excited to report that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has undertaken to commence the construction of a new 84 room hostel accommodation for our students. In view of this, we conducted a team of engineers from the Commission to the proposed site for inspection.
10. Following years of successful collaboration between the University of Port Harcourt and NTI, the management of the two institutions met to renew their collaborations. We commend the management of NTI for their dedication and commitment in providing this lofty service to millions of Nigerians nationwide.
11. We received the President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Leadership Award (PYLA) from the Chief Executive Officer of the awarding organization on behalf of the Board Chairman of the Global Initiative for Leadership Success.

We expressed our sincere appreciation to the organization for recognizing our modest achievements and contributions to the growth and development of the University of Port Harcourt, as well as our service to humanity. The award serves as an encouragement to continue pursuing excellence in leadership, education, and community service.

12. Also, in a sincere appreciation and recognition of our unwavering support and commitment to the growth of Nigerian students, we were deeply honoured to have received the Award of Honour from the Legislative Council of Nigerian Students, South-South Zone.
    To our beloved Nigerian students, we expressed our heartfelt gratitude. Your support had truly made all the difference.
13. The Executive Members of the Students’ Union of the University of Port Harcourt organized a general sanitation exercise in the student hostels. We visited the exercise to encourage the students and commend them for this laudable initiative. Their commitment to environmental cleanliness and personal responsibility contributes significantly to maintaining a healthy and conducive campus environment.
14. We are glad to report that the University Management has commenced the implementation of the Governing Council’s decision to eliminate third-party agents in the collection of University fees and charges.

Following a series of meetings with the Information and Communication Technology Centre (ICTC) and the University Data Centre (UDC), Management approved the streamlining of the collection of fees and charges through the ICTC and UDC exclusively, effective from the 2026/2027 Academic Session. Management also approved the integration and linkage of all University websites to the central ICTC-managed University website to enhance efficiency, security, and uniformity in information management.

15. As part of our commitment to ensuring the smooth conduct of academic activities, we monitored the Fifth-Year MBBS examinations in Paediatrics and Child Health. We were highly impressed by the organization of the examination by the Department and the discipline, maturity, and comportment exhibited by the medical students in the examination halls.
    We commend the Department for its dedication to academic excellence and for creating an environment conducive to fair and effective assessment of students’ learning outcomes.
16. The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), in collaboration with Robert Gordon University (RGU), Aberdeen, and NORCE, Norway, convened a strategic meeting focused on establishing a Gas Centre of Excellence. This initiative represents a major step toward advancing Nigeria’s gas industry through research, innovation, and capacity building.

17. As the tenure of the 9th Administration approaches its conclusion, the Global Lives Transformers Network, a reputable organization dedicated to transforming lives, raising leaders, and empowering communities, hosted a special ceremony to celebrate outstanding leadership and selfless service.
    The Award was conferred to the 9th Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill in recognition of his exceptional contributions and enduring impact on students, staff, institutional development, community advancement, and the wider society.

We recieved the Award with deep appreciation.

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