The Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) Abia State, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe has called for a renewed synergy in Human Capital Development, especially in the training of students.
Prof Iwe who made this call during the University’s matriculation of 4,522 freshmen for the 2020/2021 Academic Session held at her Convocation Arena recently, urged parents guardians to maintain their roles as the University’s partners in the training of students.
Procession of university’s principal officers during the Matriculation recently.
In his address at the 28th matriculation ceremony, the VC congratulated the students for clambering through the strict but friendly procedures to gain admission into the University. He pointed out that the training of students ought not to be left for the University alone, but should be a partnership venture involving the parents and guardians of the students. Prof. Madu Iwe emphasized that parents/guardians and the University should form a synergy by closely monitoring the behavioural and academic performances of the students, to achieve the primary essence of their University enrolment which is to become better citizens.
MOUAU Registrar, Mrs. Jacinta Ogwo-Agu
Speaking further, the VC maintained that matriculation signifies the admission and reception of fresh students into the institution, stressing that the matriculated students are entitled to enjoy all rights and privileges as bonafide members of the University. He charged them to take their studies seriously, adopt the core values of the University and shun unethical tendencies such as cultism, examination malpractice and other anti-social behaviours in order to justify the contributions being made by their parents/guardians and that of the University towards their wellbeing.
Matriculating students
Prof. Iwe, while addressing the students, warned that the University will not hesitate to invoke relevant sanctions against any student caught engaging in acts that are adjudged inconsistent with the rules and regulations of the University. He further disclosed that Five Thousand One Hundred and Twenty-Seven (5,127) was the total quota the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) allowed the University in the 2020/2021 Academic Session, out of which it admitted a total of Four Thousand, Five Hundred and twenty-two (4,522) students. This figure, according to him, is grossly inadequate when compared to the teeming number of candidates seeking admission into the University.
MOUAU Public Relations Officer (P.R.O.), Adanma Odefa
The Registrar of the University, Mrs. Jacinta Ogwo-Agu, while administrating the Matriculation Oath, urged the students to be diligent in their academic goals. She stressed that the University stands for excellence as enshrined in its vision and core values. Mrs. Ogwo-Agu advised the matriculating students to uphold and obey all rules and regulations and refrain from any act of violence or vices that will bring the University to disrepute.
The colourful ceremony attracted a large turn out of people, including notable dignitaries, members of the University community, parents, guardians, as well as friends of the matriculating students. Various student associations and campus fellowships used the occasion to organise receptions for their new members.
Meanwhile, some senior officers of the University have expressed satisfaction at the organization of the matriculation ceremony, as well as the processes preceding the event, while noting some areas in need of improvement.
In an exclusive interview, the Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Academic), Prof Udo Herbert, expressed pleasure over the success of the matriculation ceremony. He, however, regretted that the students are yet to be attuned to the matriculation culture marked by orderliness, which he said was evident in students’ loitering while the Vice-Chancellor delivered his matriculation address. He called on relevant officers of the University to ensure that the serenity of the matriculation ceremony is maintained by informing and imbibing the University’s culture into the students during the orientation programme.
Speaking further, the DVC disclosed that the University worked inline with the JAMB Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) which gave no room for considerations other than qualified candidates. He, therefore, advised prospective students who are desirous of gaining admission into the University by next academic session to aim at good JAMB score, with proper A- Level subject combinations, to stand a chance of being admitted into the University.
Prof. Udo Herbert noted that one of the challenges encountered during the admission process was the communication gap between the candidates and the University portal due to the wrong information the candidates used while registering for the Post UTME Screening. He advised prospective students to ensure that they use their personal and valid phone numbers and e-mail addresses, to enable them get all detailed information in the event of any changes.
In his remarks, the Dean of the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (CEET), Prof. Kayode Simonyan congratulated the students on their official induction into the University and encouraged them to focus on their studies in order to graduate within stipulated time.
Lending her voice, the Dean of the College of Agricultural Economics, Rural Sociology and Extension, Prof. Marie-Stella Njoku extoled the University for maneuvering the gap occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic to bring in the new set of students. She congratulated the Vice-Chancellor and the Deans of Colleges for fulfilling their obligations of officially welcoming the fresh students.
Another senior staff of the University and the Director of Admissions and Academic Affairs, Dr. (Mrs) Nkeiru Mbanaso acknowledged the efforts of the University Admissions Board and Admissions committee members who she said worked tirelessly to screen and arrive at the qualified candidates who were eventually admitted in accordance with the JAMB approved policy. Dr. Mbanaso underlined time constraint as the major challenge the University encountered while registering the students. According to her, a lot of students had to endure a long wait to get the accommodation bypass to be eligible to pay their school fees and proceed to the registration stage. She suggested that the accommodation fee be made optional or built into the development levy to enable students pay and complete their registration on time.
A first year student of the Department of Biochemistry, Onyearu Stella Amarachi expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the matriculation ceremony and thanked Almighty God for her stress-free admission into the University.
On her part, Favour Okorie of the Department of Forestry expressed delight at gaining admission into the University after four attempts, promising to make her parents proud in the University.
For Obinna Njoku of the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, getting admission into the University is a dream come true. He noted that he would do his very best to make First Class during his graduation, while disclosing that his dream is to become a lecturer some day.
Another matriculating student, Chisom Okeke, of the department of Food Science and Technology, while expressing her excitement, thanked God for providing money for her parents to pay her fees. She added that the University can work towards making the registration process smoother.
