THIS WEEK IN RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place in the University from Monday, 29th January – Friday, 2nd February, 2024

1.  In preparation for the resumption of academic activities, we undertook a tour to hostel facilities to assess the state of amenities put in place by the Student Affairs Department  to receive our returning students. We are pleased  to report that we are ready to have our students back on campus.

2. On the first day of resumption, lectures began in earnest. On a visit to various departments and faculties, we met lecturers on duty. We wish to use this medium to commend our staff and students for such a height of punctuality and dedication.

3. We were able to contain inferno which was as a result of a farmer burning grasses for cultivation of crops on yet to be developed areas (land) over the Lulu Briggs Health Centre fence.  We would like to use this medium to request that indigenes of host communities should be safety conscious while using farm areas within the University campuses. 

4. We received Mr. Peter Tobrise of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Committee members of the Design and Deployment of 4th Industrial Revolution-Based ICT Hub. The visit availed us the opportunity to discuss our collaboration with the NUC and France Development Agency on $800,000.00 grant expected for the enhancement of effective teaching in the University. We also undertook a tour of our facilities for the collaboration.

5. We participated in the 28th Valedictory Lecture Series of the University with the title – Anatomy of Ageing: Temporality and Transcendence. The Lecture was delivered by Prof. Frank A.O. Ugiomoh as he takes a bow from active service in the University of Port Harcourt after serving meritoriously in the Department of Fine Arts and Design, Faculty of Humanities and has also served as Director Ethics Committee and Director School of General Studies (GES) among others. We wish him the best of health and longevity. 

6. As we continue to leverage on impactful collaboration and goodwill from strategic partners, we are set for yet another Institution of a Scholarship Scheme by Chief Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji Foundation for forty (40) indigent but brilliant students. The Foundation is also constructing a lecture auditorium to enhance learning in the University. 

7. We inspected the newly built and furnished Department of Pharmacology and we are glad to report that specifications were followed and it shall soon be handed over and put to use.

8. Similarly, we inspected the installation of modern classroom desk in the PS classrooms, Abuja Campus. We are happy to announce that the PS Classrooms now wears a new look and more conducive for learning.

9. We visited the three (3) CBT Centres to monitor the recruitment exercise for both teaching and non-teaching positions in the University.

10. The University of Port Harcourt was elated again as one of our student, Joshua Prince Chinoiserie of the Department of Mechatronics, Faculty of Engineering won the IBTC Tech FUZE talent show. We congratulated him and urged other students to be innovative in their various fields of study.

11. The Degree Result Verification Committee (DRVC) headed by Prof. Glory Amadi attended a one-day training aimed at improving knowledge of the Committee members on degree related issues. The former Chairman of the DRVC, Prof. Adekola took the session and we charged them to deliver on mandate given and ensure that delay in degree results would be a thing of the past.

12. We undertook a visit to the state-of-the-art Convocation Arena, venue for the 34th Convocation Ceremony (Combined) of the University. We are glad to inform the University Community that Convocation Committee headed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic has commenced preparations for a seamless event.

13. We received His Excellency, William B. Stevens the United States Consulate General, Lagos and his entourage in the University on a workshop for Journalist on News Coverage in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. The event was successful as participants expressed satisfaction and appreciation to the Consul General and the University of Port Harcourt. 

14. We went round the three (3) campuses to inspect the newly installed solar light provided by the Niger Delta Development Commission. We are grateful to the NDDC and Federal Government for this goodwill.

15. As an oversight function, we were at the College of Health Sciences to invigilate the MBBS resit examinations and to also consider the results of the examinations.

16. In our quest to continually provide conducive working and learning environments, we inspected the rewound transformer serving faculties of Education, Agriculture, Management Sciences and CELTRAS building. We would not relent in our commitment towards a more prosperous University of Port Harcourt. 

17. We participated in the 7th Dentistry Day Celebration of the Faculty of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences and congratulated the Faculty for contributing tremendously to growth of oral health in the Country and for the quality of dental surgeons produced each year.

18. In recognition of our commitment to patent right and innovation  in the area of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, we received a cash prize of Five Hundred Thousand Naira  (N500,000.00). We commend the Director IPPTO, Prof. Mary Iwundu and her team for the achievement thus far.

We appreciate the roles you all played at your various designated units during the week under review.

Have a great weekend.

Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill,
FRSB, FIIA, FWASOT, FCSI, FFs, FWASOP, FECRMI, FIARSA, FIHSC , DFCIHTMA.
Vice-Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt