AKSU’s Maiden Convocation and challenge to new VC

BY ASUQUO EDEM

Education, they say is the bedrock of development, just like you can’t construct a modern house without cement. Learning how to read and write which used to be the basics in education has been taken over by events per say, as you not only require to read and write, but more importantly need to be vested with the rubrics that entail any field of endeavor.

This is where Higher education comes very critically into play as the driver of the much needed condiments needed in today’s ever changing and revolving world.

The world today, they say, is a global village, and one needs to move along with the happenings so as not to be left behind and mocked at. In as much as education is necessary, emphasis has moved to improved learning techniques, conducive learning environment, improved learning facilities and the list goes on and on.

Parents nowadays are more interested in the Universities and Colleges their sons and daughters are sent to study as such criteria mentioned above are carefully sought for. They basically not need to visit such schools but for the advent of the internet where schools have their websites, such information is easily accessed with the click of a button and in the very comfort of their rooms.

Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) formerly called Akwa Ibom State University of Science and Technology was conceived and has continued to enjoy funding by AkwaIbom State government with its primary focus being to develop persons who have passion to regularly seek knowledge that will address practical issues of development in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria in general. If the momentum of the dream is sustained, the University is expected to serve as a melting converge which presents professionals with the needed knowledge to meet requirements of learning and that for industrialization with due recourse to technology, Applied Science and Arts.

The University which started in year 2000 cannot be documented without due recourse to former governor of the State, Arc Victor Attah, a vision which was well embraced by the present Governor, Chief GodswillAkpabio leading to the legalization of the Institution by the AkwaIbom State House of Assembly in 2009.

The University, which had as its first Vice Chancellor, a Geologist, Prof Sunday Petters, operated two Campuses in Mkpat Enin and ObioAkpa, held its maiden Matriculation in 2011 with 300 students and the first Convocation will be held this weekend 2nd May, 2015.

Taking over the mantle of leadership from Prof Petters, a revered Physicist and an experienced educational administrator, Prof Eno James Ibanga who before now, was the Deputy Vice Chancellor(Academic) in a recent press briefing, said that the Institution which has up to date admitted about 1278 students will grow to about 5000 in the two Campuses of the University when the successful candidates offered admissions in the last Post UTME exercise register at the beginning of the session while also announcing that the Institution would convocate 42 students in its maiden convocation who are all from the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences adding that the school has broken the jinx of giving Certificates as it will on the day of convocation, present(certificates) to the graduands.

While describing students’ welfare as top priority in the University, the Don noted that the students are not only limited to theoretical lessons, but are also exposed to practical sessions in their studies with excursions to quarry sites, Atlantic Ocean, exposure to internship and Industrial training in reputable establishments in a bid to key into the vision and mission of the Institution.

He described the University as parading array of quality academics who are proficient in their various fields of affiliations noting that majority of lecturers are holders of Doctorate Degrees in line with National University Commission directive adding that others who on appointments had Master’s Degree have availed themselves of staff development programme of the Institution and are at various stages of completion of their PhD studies.

Prof Ibanga noted with joy that the University has joined the league of other Nigerian Universities in the accreditation exercise by the National Universities Commission as twelve academic programmes that were matured in the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences were assessed and had earned full accreditation status which according to him, was a one of the numerous feats recorded by the University adding that the Institution was at an advanced stage to present programmes in the faculties of Agriculture, Engineering and Social/Management Science for accreditation by the NUC.

The Vice Chancellor also said that the Council of Registered Engineers in Nigeria (COREN) has granted approval to the University to mount Engineering programmes pending the NUC accreditation noting that such approval gives the green light that products of Engineering courses from the Institution are qualified to practice as Engineers when they graduate.

He commended the partnership enjoyed from the Institution from NDDC, Exxon Mobil, NDIC, Shell among others, while noting that the Senior Course 37, Armed Forces Command and Staff College who were on a tour to the Institution were amazed at the extent to which the University is committed to agriculture.

While describing a University as a universal entity that spans over years and its growth as one of the criteria for which the development of a people is measured, the Vice Chancellor called on all persons to join hands to build the University as education is the only sustainable legacy that can be bequeathed for future generations.

It is however advised that the Vice Chancellor should work as a team player which he is known for with his lieutenants, close ranks with staff to get the desired result.

Asuquo Edem writes from Uyo