MOUAU VC prides in the students’ achievements, as As 163 Students bag First-Class Honours
No fewer than a total of one hundred and sixty-three (163) students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) have emerged with First-class Honours as the Institution holds her 12th convocation ceremony.
The milestones as achieved by the students have in no doubt, left the 6th Vice Chancellor, Prof. Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe in a joyous mood, as he commends the students for writing their names in gold in the history of the school despite the odds.
Professor Iwe, while addressing the press at the Pre-Convocation Press briefing, held at the Vice Chancellor’s Conference Room, yesterday, Thursday, November 28, 2024, prided in the students’ landmark achievements.
He pointed out that the students’ accomplishment was a reflection of their relentless commitment, the faculty and administration to excellence, adding that “the Institution is proud to celebrate the efforts of these outstanding individuals who have demonstrated exceptional discipline and resilience in their academic journey”, he said.
According to the renowned Food Scientist, the Convocation ceremony would begin with an inter-Denominational Convocation thanksgiving service, followed by a novelty football match, and Juma’at prayer at the MOUAU central mosque.
Meanwhile, the VC revealed that a total of. 4,743 Bachelor Degree students, 49 Postgraduate Diploma students, 252 Master’s Degree and 164 Doctorate Degree students, would be participating in the convocation ceremony slated for Saturday , November 30, 2024, at the school’s arena.
Continuing, he said: “we have 163 first Class students, 1,710 second class upper, 2,114 second class lower and 734 students with third class, while 9 students recorded a pass.”
The Vice-Chancellor, however, reiterated the university’s commitment to fostering an environment that nurtures academic brilliance and innovation, producing high caliber graduates.
He stated that the 12th Convocation lecture entitled, “From Ivory Tower To Innovation Hubs: The Renewed Hope Agenda for Economic Transformation and Sustainable Development, would be taken by the Imo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma and chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, adding that the event would be climaxed on Saturday, November 30th, 2024, with the convocation proper, featuring, Academic Procession, award of certificates,first degrees and prizes,as well as,the conferment of higher degrees.
Prof Iwe further recounted that the school had indeed made giant strides in academics, human capital development, infrastructure, community service and administration in the last three decades, a dear which he admitted was in accordance with the vision of the founding fathers.
Hear him: “Many of our graduates have become established farmers, employers of labour and major contributors towards ensuring food security in Nigeria”, he boasted.
He used the medium to implore graduates of the institution to endeavour to be ambassadors of the university, urging them to upholding its values in their various endeavors.
Similarly, he enjoined the management and staff of the university to remain resilient in their pursuit, fostering academic excellence and nurturing exceptional talents.
Prof Iwe equally reeled out some remarkable headway the institution has recorded in spite of the intriguing situation. “We are succeeding in making MOUAU an entrepreneurial university in line with our dream of ensuring that it attains a level of enterprise that would enhance its resources. Our bread and biscuit factory, water production and guest house outfits are steadily growing and giving names to our university.
“All our colleagues are also thriving. Our college of Animal Science and Animal Production(CASAP),and the College of Crop and Soil Science (CCSS), are vigorously driving a level of animal and crop production that is consistent with our vision.
“We are equipping our Laboratories with the state of the art equipment and we will continue to do so for agriculture, sciences, engineering and wastechnology. In ICT, we are increasing the University’s bandwidth and almost achieving full coverage by the end of the year”,he said.
The Vice Chancellor further concluded with a call for the graduates to be ambassadors of the university, upholding its values in their various endeavors,while urging the management and staff of the university to remain resilient in their pursuit, fostering academic excellence and nurturing exceptional talent.
The VC, however, bemoaned the numerous challenges bedeviling the institution, ranging from poor funding, inadequate physical facilities, non release of take-off grant from government, high demand on provision of amenities and Public utilities, electricity, water, poor road network, among others.
