Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) has concluded plans for the take off activities at its permanent site within the next two years. The commencement of activities at the permanent site would see the University running a two-campus structure. Prof Madubisi Iwe, the Vice Chancellor of the University disclosed this during a press conference to commemorate the 30th anniversary, Founders Day and Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara maiden lectures series.
Prof Iwe disclosed that MOUAU has many undeveloped hectares of land awaiting development as MOUAU is sited on a 6,465 hectares of land but is presenting occupying only 1,000 hectares including a recent development at its permanent site located at Olori, close to Ikwuano LGA, Isi Ala, Abia state. ‘There is need for more development, we have gone to the permanent site to develop it, in the next 2½ years, the university will be seating on two campuses, this is in order for the university to take care of its property as the Abia state government is doing something to make us comfortable within our environment’, he stated.
Speaking on the conventionality of the university, the Chartered Food scientist disclosed that he does not have the competency to address government gazzetted law that established the university, but noted that, Abia state is about the only state in the country with only one federal government university and advocated for a struggle for another university to compliment MOUAU. He also made a case for the recognition of MOAUN as a Land-grant university where with or without being a university of Agriculture, MOUAU can accommodate many other programmes as it is done internationally.
Going back memorial lanes, Prof Iwe said over the past three decades, the university has transformed from a humble beginning into a beacon of academic excellence, research innovation and community engagement. While appreciating the efforts and unwavering commitment of all the stakeholders including the government, faculty, staff, students, alumni and all their partners, he disclosed that the university has evolved into a hub of knowledge creation, fostering cutting edge research across various disciplines and producing graduates who make meaningful contributions to society.
He lauded the visionary leadership of the founders, especially, the former Premier of the Eastern region, Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara, whom the university is named after, for laying the foundation for the institution that prioritizes education, research and service. In his honour, a maiden Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara lecture series and endowment has been set up to mark the 30th year anniversary by the university.
Prof. Iwe also appreciated his predecessors in office as each has contributed his expertise to the growth of the institution as against constrains posed by socio- economic and political climates, MOUAU, has made giant strides in human capital development, infrastructure, sports , international collaborations, community services and administration under the leadership of the different Vice-chancellors that have led it.
Narrating the milestones recorded in the university within his administration as the Vice-Chancellor, the Professor of Food science, described administration as a continuum and as such have continued to address the previous unfinished business of the previous administrations. ‘We are building up places where our predecessors laid their foundation but couldn’t operationalize; we are operationalizing every aspect of the university so that we can become more dynamic and more responsible to the needs of the environment, our staff and students. We have made sure the wounds (social, academic) were healed within the 2½ years of my administration and set the university on the path of economic recovery, took responsibility and willingness to see a better and more robust university’, he further stated.
Some of the achievements of the present administration include fast-tracking of students’ statement of results and transcripts issuance, digitalization of information dissemination through live streaming , improvement of e-senate for improved administrative efficiency, commencing the building the university’s permanent site, accreditation of all existing courses by NUC as new ones has been visited on verification, rehabilitating campus shuttle services, rebuilding and rebranding of the university guest house, collaborating with the FMARD for modern farm equipment and implements, functionalizing the bread and biscuit factory with MOUAU loaf and biscuits hitting the market amongst other milestones recorded.
On the major challenges facing the university, the 6th and the current VC, Prof Iwe, said that paucity of funds has been a major brick wall challenging the rapid development of the institution. He lamented that 30 years after its take off, MOUAU is yet to receive its take-off grant from the federal government, reiterating that MOUAN is one of those institutions that commenced operations without any initial government grant thereby magnifying their urgency for funding. Other challenges of the institution includes but not limited to the bad state of the access road leading to the institution, lack of essential amenities as it is located in a rural environment, instances of sabotage from some staff towards the school’s programs and developmental endeavors, the persistent challenge of retaining younger trainee staff who having benefitted from University sponsorship abroad severe their ties and return to serve the institution, poor leadership and mentorship from some senior staff members, amongst others.
However, Prof Iwe concluded that as the MOUAU celebrates its 30 years existence, it looks forward to a future marked by greater strides, as his administration’s commitment to academic excellence, research innovation and community development remains steadfast.
