THIS WEEK IN RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place in the University from Monday 4th – Friday 8th, November, 2024.

1. The 17th Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt embarked on a two-day retreat at the Ibom  Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.  The retreat which had the full complement of all Governing Council members had seasoned university managers; development scholars and cyber security expert discuss issues, challenges/prospects and the immutable role of the Governing Council in managing the University. The retreat afforded members to bond and unwind while also undertaking the critical task of rethinking strategies at repositioning the University.

2. At the sidelines of the Governing Council retreat at Uyo, we met with the National President of the University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association, Pastor Ule Glad Williams and the State President, University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association, Akwa Ibom chapter, Mr. Nyakno Udoette to discuss strategies and plans of the Chapter in contributing positively to the Association and the University in general.

3. As part of plans to buffer the end of sponsorship of World Bank funding to the African Centres of Excellence, we inspected the ongoing project initiated by ACE-PUTOR under the leadership of Prof. Daprim Ogaji as part of legacy projects to contribute to the finances of the Centre. The unique complex is an infrastructural outlay that contains a hotel complex, innovation hub, and amongst other facilities that will enable the Centre to operate efficiently and effectively when the World Bank sponsorship ends.  We commend the Centre Leaders of our respective African Centres of Excellence for proactively planning measures of sustainability beyond the World Bank funding.

4. We participated at the 19th Annual Conference of the Fulbright Alumni Association of Nigeria held at the auditorium of the ACE-PUTOR. This year’s conference focus was on Leadership, Institutions and Nation Building: Challenges and Prospects for Nigeria. The fulbright fellowship is a fully sponsored programme by the United States Government

5. In ensuring that members of the university community enjoy top-notch security, we met with the  Chief Security Officer, CP Smart Pedro Rtd. and his team alongside the Dean, Student Affairs, Prof. Chima Nwokocha, the President, Student Union, Comrade Harmony Lawrence and members of his Executive Council, the Commander of the Armed Forces Students Association in the university to discuss and streamline the operational guidelines of the Armed Forces Students on campus. We reached key decisions to be implemented immediately under the supervision of the Dean, Student Affairs and the Chief Security Officer.

6. The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council alongside other members of the University Governing Council met with the project team for the ongoing hybrid solar power systems for the University. We had exhaustive deliberation with the team and commend the Rural Electrification Agency for such laudable initiative.

7. Similarly, the Governing Council undertook a tour to the College of Health Sciences, various faculties, Centres/Units/Institutes to interact with key stakeholders with a bid to identify critical needs as part of plans to develop a robust structure for the effective management of the component units of the University. 

7. Also, as part of re-enforcing the relationship between the University and various host communities, the Governing Council paid visits to the Choba, Akpor Kingdom, Aluu Clan, Omokiri and Omuoko communities to familiarize themselves with the communities and further strengthen our working relationship which we recognize as a panacea for development.

8. We paid scheduled visits to examination halls for the ongoing MBBS Part II examination consisting of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology and the Part I MBBS examination of the Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences. We commended the College of Health Sciences and the respective faculties for the professional conduct during the examination.

9. We received an award of recognition from the National Association of Northern Nigerian Students as “Icon of Societal Development” in recognition of our immense contributions towards national development.

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