THIS WEEK IN RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place in the University from Monday 22nd – Friday 26th, January, 2024.

1. We received the Team leader and members of the European Union (EU) Erasmus International Consortium on Embedded Artificial Intelligence. We commended them for their commitment at delivering the mandate of the Commission and partnering with the University. The University is amongst five selected universities to commence a Master’s Degree in Embedded Artificial Intelligence.

2. We received the Committee Report of the Unnamed Streets/Avenues and Roads in the University. The University now has a geo-referenced road network map and a digital elevation model map. The recommendations have been sent for approval by the Minister of Education. 

3. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill was a Panelist at the TotalEnergies Symposium/Awards. The symposium focused on the thematic issue of empowering the teacher in line with SDG 4 goal and we are glad to report that the summit was highly successful .   

4. Prof. U. E. Udensi has emerged as the new Dean, Faculty of Agriculture as Prof. Ibisimie Etela bows out after serving out his tenure as Dean of the Faculty. We congratulated him and pray for God’s guidance. 

5. The 181st Inaugural Lecture of the University of Port Harcourt was delivered by Prof. Abiodun Arigbede of the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry. The inaugural lecture “walking in his steps: the stewardship of a prosthodontics” was a masterclass. 

6. The University Crab serves as a hub for producing the best minds in the entertainment/creative industry. We handed over the site for the construction of the new Crab to our development partner, TETFUND. The new Crab structure when completed will increase the capacity to train 21st entertainment and creative experts.

7. At the 10th anniversary celebration of  Joint University Preliminary Examination Board (JUPEB), the Board reflected on the achievements of the programme on Tertiary Education. At the event, we were recognized for our modest contributions to the Board. 

8. We received the National Council of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA) ably led by her National President, Dominic Omokaro. We held fruitful discussion with the Association on areas of mutually benefiting partnership.

9. We are happy to announce the appointment of Prof. Matthew Wegwu, a Professor of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, to serve on the National Technical Committee of the Standard Organization of Nigeria. 

10. We commissioned a multipurpose Clinical Simulation Laboratory donated by the World Bank to the University through the Africa Centre of Excellence – PUTOR. The clinical simulation lab provides a world class teaching facility Nursing and Medical Students of the University.

11. ⁠Similarly we commissioned for use an anatomage table which is a technologically advanced method of dissection by students in the medical school. The concerted efforts of the alumni of the medical school and the support by the World Bank through the ACE PUTOR yielded fruitful results with the provision of the anatomage table.

12. We received a worthy alumnus of the University Dr. Abiye Hector Gomba who was accompanied by Prof. Rosemary Ogu. We are glad to report that we had fruitful deliberation with respect to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of our University.

13. Similarly, we received high Chief Jasper and his team who are in the country for collaboration on Rockefeller Standard Carbon projects and we had fruitful discussions on areas of interest. 

13. We commissioned the rehabilitated mono pump machines at the Nelson Madela and Amino Kano Hostels courtesy of the newly inaugurated Students Union Executive Council and  reiterated our commitment to conducive learning and living conditions on campus.

14. ⁠The principal officers met to deliberate on the forth coming convocation event and reached appropriate decisions based on matters presented to it.

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