TWO WEEKS RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place from Monday 7th to Thursday 17th April, 2025.

1. Stakeholders from across Africa gathered in Ghana to appraise the impact of the African Centre of Excellence interventions by the World Bank. The Opening Ceremony of the programme was attended by the President of Ghana, His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama who delivered a thought-provoking opening remark. The programme afforded key stakeholders – Ministers of Education, World Bank Vice-President, Vice-Chancellors from African based universities, Centre leaders and their teams, the opportunity to review the impact of the project over the 10years period and roll out sustainable plans for the continuation of the centres.

2. The advocacy for more women in leadership is gradually gaining the needed attention especially in the academia. Female Vice-Chancellors and Researchers from Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi and Ghana under the auspices of Women in Science met in Ghana to brainstorm on the prospects and challenges of getting women to occupy critical positions in universities in Africa. The University of Port Harcourt from available statistics has surpassed the statutory 30% threshold of women participation and involvement in leadership.

3. We received a combined team of journalists from the National Orientation Agency and NELFUND on a fact-finding mission to assess the impact of the scheme on students and beneficiary institutions. As a University, we have recorded an increased number of students signing up to the scheme which has greatly reduced the rate of school charges defaulters. We commend the team led by Mrs. Chichi Umeseaka for the professionalism exhibited during the assignment.

4. Also, the University Management received the new Board of Trustees of Our Savior Chapel. The Board commended the giant strides of the University Management and offered prayers for the University community. We wished the new BOT well as they pilot the affairs of the Chapel.

5. The University of Port Harcourt is making giant strides in transforming our research and innovations into marketable solutions through Strengthening Institutional Infrastructure for an Innovation Ecosystem (UP-ECOSIN) project. The project empowers researchers and industry partnership, and we would not relent in transforming the University of Port Harcourt into a world class entrepreneurial research hub.

6. The meeting of Principal Officers of the University held to discuss and give recommendations/approvals for the smooth functioning of the University. The Vice-Chancellor remarked with appreciation, the cooperation of all members of the Management team in ensuring the overall success of the University.

7. The 2025 Unified Tertiary Examination as conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board is set to commence soon. As part of preparatory measures to test the capacity of the exam centres and facilities deployed for the examination a mock exercise was conducted for candidates. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill who serves as Member, Chief External Examiner, went round selected centres in Rivers State to assess readiness for the main examination.

8. We participated in the symposium organized by the Nigerian Patriots on “Integrity is Everything”. The event organized by the Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ) featured conferment of awards to deserving personalities. We commend Prof. Ibisime Etela for his representation.

9. We received an Award of recognition from the Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Engineering in appreciation of our continued and relentless support to the Faculty.

10. We received representatives of PTDF in the company of the External Assessor as we conducted the interview for appointing a new Chair Occupant of the PTDF Chair. Candidates were subjected to a rigorous interview process by a panel of assessors including the External Assessor, Dean of Engineering and the Head of Department, Gas Engineering. The outcome of the interview will be made public soon.

11. We have commenced clinical training for successful students after the Part I MBBS examination in Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry. At this stage students will be trained in Pharmacology and the four divisions of Pathology. We charged them to always strive to attain high stake academic excellence.

12. We participated in the U80s re-union of the University of Port Harcourt Alumni. We make bold to say this unique institution has raised great men in the corridors of power. The event chaired by His Excellency, Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR had in attendance, distinguished guests from all walks of life and there we presented some challenges facing the University and we are optimistic of rapid positive response.

13. We are glad to inform the University Community that another worthy Alumnus, Engr. ThankGod Egbe, MD/CEO of Cyphercrescent donated a building for Energy Technology Institute (ETI). We performed the Ground-Breaking Ceremony and received Cyphercresent SEPAL SOLVER to aid mathematical problems in Technology Research.

14. Again, as a way of giving back to the University, the U83 Alumni embarked on the remodelling of Delta Park Gate and this gesture has given a facelift to the campus entrance. We would like to use this medium to commend the U83 set and call on others to give back to their alma-mata.

15. We received a 4-Man Team of experts on electrical power from the Tertiary Education Trustfund (TETFUnd). The Team was in the University to assess the current power need with a view of complementing the University’s efforts. While the solar power farm has reached an advanced level, TETFund is set to support our electric power capacity. We deeply appreciate the Executive Secretary of the TETFund, *Arc. Sonny Echono* for considering the University of Port Harcourt for this timely intervention.

16. 421st Meeting of Committee of Provost and Deans (CPD) held to harmonise and approve the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025Academic Calendar.

17. We participated in the 8th Annual conference of the Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education and charged them to balance Technological Innovation with Cultural Education. We commended the Dean and members of the Faculty for their commitment to knowledge exchange.

18. We received newly converted staff who applied and were successful at the conversion interview. The group paid a courtesy visit to the University Management to express their joy and renew their commitment to the University in their new cadre.

19. The University of Port Harcourt through her Central Instrument Library Unit will join the world to celebrate World Laboratory Day on the 23rd and 24th of April, 2025. We received the Director of the Centre and her team on a courtesy visit and had fruitful discussions on the successful hosting of the World Laboratory Day.

20. Similarly, we received the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and some senior members of the Faculty on a courtesy visit to inform the University Management on their preparedness for the forthcoming Organic Agriculture Professionals Conference. We had fruitful discussions on successful hosting of the event.

21. The 36th Valedictory Lecture Series of the University was delivered by Professor Nwadiuto Akani of the Department of Paediatric and Child Health. The lecture which was titled *‘Relieving the Burden of Violence ….That Our Children Will Thrive”* had in attendance families, friends and people from all walks of life. We appreciate Prof. Nwadiuto Akani for spending so long a time with us and wish her best of retirement in good health and fulfilment.

22. The University of Port Harcourt is set to receive Prof. Liu Hongwu of Zhejiang Normal University, China, the Consular-General, Chinese Embassy and some dignitaries on an International Engagement. We hereby request that the University Community as usual, will remain good ambassadors as we host our Chinese counterpart.

23. We signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an Affiliate – the Baptist Theological Seminary to allow for Award of Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music. We also charged them to keep up with integrity and excellence in the delivery of quality education.

24. Meeting of the 77th Congregation held on Thursday 17th April, 2025 and members converged at the New Convocation Arena to vote their representatives into the Governing Council, Boards and Committees of the University. We appreciate the massive turn out of members to vote their choice candidates. Professor Glory Amadi and Dr Caroline Nnabuo were elected in a keenly contested election as representatives of the Congregation in the Governing Council. Other members were also elected into various boards and committees of the Council.

We appreciate the roles you all played at your various 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