THIS WEEK IN RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place in the University from Monday 3rd to Friday 7thJune, 2024.

1. We participated in the tree-planting ceremony of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to commemorate her 60th anniversary. At the event, we encouraged them to put the Nation first and continue to keep to the tenets of the profession. 

2. We were once again commended by the Gateway International Church for the standard sporting facilities at our Sports Complex. This was expressed when the church used our complex for their family sports weekend. We congratulated them on the successful event and thanked them for using our facility.

3. We were at the National Assembly, Abuja to meet with Senator Muktari Mohammed, Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund and had several discussions aimed at adding value to the University.

4. As we continue to forge and collaborate with sister universities, we were applauded by the Wigwe University for our mentorship to the new Institution. This attracted positive comments from several dignitaries in the country including the Chief of Defence Staff and we are grateful to God for his faithfulness towards the University of Port Harcourt.

5. The 2024 World Environment Day was a huge success as we played host to the event which was organised by the Association for Environmental Impact Assessment in partnership with the Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Port Harcourt, Federal Ministry of Environment, Osten Limited and TETfund. The ceremony which attracted participants from all walks of life gave room for robust discussions and served as a call for all and sundry to protect the environment which is at a critical state.

6. In fulfilling one of the mandates of the University, the Vice-Chancellor was in the classroom to teach the use of drugs in the treatment of  Central Nervous system diseases. It was quite inspiring as we also had conversations with the Part II MBBS students during the teaching session.

7. We are proud to inform the University of Port Harcourt Community that our Medical School Team emerged victorious in the inter-university medical school quiz competition which held at the Rivers State University. We congratulated them on their victory and encouraged them to keep the flag of the university flying.

8. We received the International Human Right Protection special envoy to West Africa, Ambassador Charles Omini  and his team and had fruitful discussion on areas of collaboration with respect to Human Rights. Preparations are in place to formalize and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Human Right Organization. 

9. We took part to adjudge the 300-level examination practical of the Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management in the Faculty of Management Sciences. After the detailed practical, we make bold to say we are proud of our students and lecturers and we remain committed to enlightenment and self-reliance as a University.

10. We received a nomination for an Award of Honor as the Most Distinguished Vice-Chancellor of the Year 2024 by the Niger Delta Media Practitioners of Nigeria. The Award which is to be conferred on  Thursday 20th June, 2024 is in recognition of our support in the development of the Niger Delta Region.

11. As we conclude the first semester examinations for the 2023/2024 academic session, we took a tour round the exam halls to monitor the process. We would like to use this medium to appreciate all members of staff for their immense contributions; and to our students’ body, we wish them happy break as we expect them back on campus on the 17th of June, 2024.

12. The Committee of Provost and Deans (CPD) met to consider the analysis of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results and to select a suitable cut off as JAMB prepares to call for Policy Meeting nationwide to decide cut off points for universities, polytechnics and colleges of Education. We are happy to announce that shortly after the CPD meeting, the University of Port Harcourt has taken necessary action. 

13. We are happy to inform the University Community that Miss Eloho, a student of the Department of Geography & Environmental Management of the Faculty of Social Sciences participated in the rigorous selection process of the USAID Leadership Award and emerged as a winner.  We commended the Unique Mappers Team of the University for facilitating this award and wished the awardee a successful participation and urged her to remain a good ambassador of her Department, Faculty, and the University at large. 

14. We received Arch. Erivwo Inene, Director of Strategic Planning from Tetfund who visited the University of Port Harcourt  to assess the University’s preparedness regarding the establishment of a Carrier Advancement Center. After the tour of the proposed facility to house the Centre and discussion on the organizational structure of the new Centre, the Director was full of praises to the University for taking the initiative to making the establishment of the Center a reality in the University.

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