After several months of the close down of academic activities, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,Umudike, has finally announced the reopening of the institution for academic learning.
In an interview with newsmen shortly after the School’s Senate meeting, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, said the school is pleased to announce the reopening of the institution after it’s shut down on the 6th of February 2024, as a result of the students’ uproar.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the panel set up by the school to investigate what transpired and the damages done in the school, submitted their report to the Senate on the 28th of March after its investigations that lasted between four to five weeks.
Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe
He said the government after studying the report received from the Senate on the 2nd of April, gave a directive that processes leading to the reopening of the institution should commence from May 7th, 2024.
“This directive was made known to me on the 3rd of May and I delivered same to the School Senate today”.
The VC stated that from the 7th to 19th of May, the students would go through some processes that have been well articulated and that would guarantee their eligibility to be readmitted.
He said part of the conditions that must be met by the students, is the payment of all outstanding charges.
“There are those who are still owning the university their registration for the 2023/2024 session and as well, those that have not paid their charges.These payment have to be made.
“The regulation of the University concerning payment of charges, has no room for split payment, but in public interest, the students will be allowed to pay 70% of their fees now and 30% by the 4th to 6th week of the second semester.The essence of this is that, we want to have a data base for the University.Right now, the University does not know the number of students enrolled and the number of students that want to graduate. We want to get this sorted out,so that we can be sure of results, certificates and transcripts when students graduate. The University want to operate like any other University in the world”.
The VC also disclosed that before reopening, the students would register their courses. As it was observed that many of the students who obstructed the suspended exams, didn’t pay their fees or even registered their courses and they wanted to get their exams done which was contrary.
Reeling out other conditions to be met by the students before resumption, Prof Iwe said the students would write undertaken to be of good behavior, because already they have all contravened their matriculation oath by rioting.
“The undertaken has to be endorsed by a High court and the students will have to swear an affidavit for that undertaken. They should also scan the undertaken and post to their Head of Department via their departmental official email address.
“Upon resumption, they should tender the original copy of the undertaken to their Head of Department and enter in a notebook their names that they have submitted.
“They will pay reparation fee of #25,000, which will be paid online to the bank account provided on the school’s website”,he Said.
The Vice Chancellor, however, stated that no student is expected to be seen in the school until on the 19th of May, which is the official resumption date,adding that those who have not done their biometric capturing would be given three days to do so in their various departments, precisely from the 20th to 23rd of May. While they get ready for their exams that will restart on Monday the 27th of May.
He further advised the students to line up quietly and do their work as they resume.”Get into the exams, finish your exams and continue your normal life on campus.
“We are prepared to train the students and give them the best of training.What my administration is driving at, is offering the best of training, ensuring currency of training and the adequacy of training of our students, so they can fit into the picture of students in other universities around the world.
