THIS WEEK IN RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place in the University from Monday 10th – Friday 14th June, 2024.

1. We convened an emergency meeting of Senate to deliberate and approve the request for the re-scripting of certificates for some affected students in Engineering. The affected departments includes Petroleum/Gas Engineering, Civil/Environmental Engineering and Mechanical/Mechatronics Engineering to enable them forge ahead with their careers and obtain their professional certifications accordingly.

2. As we continue to build the bridge of institutional collaboration, we received Prof. Chike Oduoza of the Wolverhampton University, United Kingdom on an intensive one-week exchange and linkage programme with the Faculty of Engineering.

3. We are glad to announce that the  University of Port Harcourt was selected by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) as beneficiary Institution for the establishment of Career Services Intervention Center (CASIC) which will serve as a leading hub for career development and innovation in Nigeria with key focus on empowering students to reach their full potential and achieve professional excellence. The Center will be headed by Prof. Ijeoma Ernest-Ehibudu as the pioneer Director

4. We participated in the  the 188th Inaugural Lecture Series of the University delivered by Prof. Cheta Williams, the Dean, Faculty of Education on “Learning is not difficult but can be made difficult”. In discharging himself as a teacher and scholar per excellence, the Inaugural Lecturer noted that the art of learning is not difficult if carried out with understanding of class composition and some other variables.

5. Similarly, we participated at the orientation exercise organized by the Students Industrial Work Scheme (SIWES) as part of requirements for the deployment of students to relevant organizations to enable them acquire hands on practical experiences. We urge our Industrial training students to accord the internship period the attention it deserves as it forms part of their academic requirements for graduation and adds to their employability.

6.  In an event organized by the Department of Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling to fete Prof. Igho Joe who was the pioneer Head of the Department, and a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) had glowing tributes paid in his honour for his impactful years as a teacher, mentor and internationally admired scholar. As a University, we appreciated Prof. Igho Joe for his outstanding contributions to the University and advancement of knowledge and wished him the best in retirement.

7. In recognition of the role of the academia as thought shapers that greatly influences government policies, Vice-Chancellors of Universities in the Niger Delta region met in Yenagoa for the Inter-University Dialogue in Democracy. The 2-days Submit had policy experts, vice-chancellors from the region, government functionaries, other key stakeholders discuss on topical issues bordering on leadership, communication and gender equity while proffering possible solutions to strengthening democracy in Nigeria. We commend the Vice-Chancellor, Bayelsa Medical University, Prof. Etebu for the initiative.

8. As a way of entrenching scholarly research output, the Centre for Peace and Security Studies organized a two-day workshop on “Scholarly and Scientific Writing of Proposal and Presentation”. We commend the Director, Prof. Martin Ifeanacho for such innovative initiative.

9. We received donation of valuable medical textbooks and materials from the Benjamin Eleonu Foundation based in Boston, United States of America. The donation to the College of Health Sciences was in fulfilment of the wishes of late Prof. Benjamin Eleonu, a professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Boston University, Massachusetts to donate these valuable materials to the University. We are grateful for the books and pray that the soul of Prof. Benajmin Eleonu continues to rest in Peace.

10. We received in courtesy visit, a team of distinguished Sociologists from the Department of Sociology, University of Port Harcourt in recognition of our continued support to the Department and their participation at the University of Bonn Conference, Germany. The Department presented us with an Award “Friend of Sociology” for our outstanding support. 

11. In our concerted efforts to contribute to policy formulation and advancing the principles of good governance and in line with the remarkable impact of Centre for Politics across the globe, approval has been granted for the establishment of the University of Port Harcourt Center for Politics. We are glad to report that procedures are in progress to kick start the new programme. Professor Allen is appointed the pioneer Centre Director.

12. We paid an unscheduled visit to the construction site for the building and installation of solar power plant at the University. The project is an intervention programme of the Federal Government and when completed will provide 24hrs electricity to the University, the University Teaching Hospital and neighbouring host communities.

13. Also, we visited the site for the ongoing construction of the 40 room en-suite hostel accommodation for our students. The facility will in no small measure address the dearth of on-campus accommodation. We charged the contractor to expedite action for the timely delivery of the project. 

14. The Principal Officers of the University met on Friday 14th June, 2024 to consider and approve matters of importance for the smooth functioning of the University.

15. As the Centre for Logistics and Transportation (CELTRAS) settled into their befitting NIMASA House, we met with members of the Governing and Academic Boards. CELTRAS is a specialized centre that offers postgraduate programmes in transport and logistics and provides expertise and manpower to the Ministries of Aviation, Transport and Marine. 

16. As a means of influencing the younger generation, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Owunari Abraham Georgewill shall be live on LinkedIn to speak on YOUTHS CONTRIBUTION TO AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL CONCEPT. 

Kindly join the conversation tonight at 7pm Nigerian 

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