VC’S Press Briefing on the 29th & 30th Combined Convocation.
PRE-CONVOCATION/MEDIA BRIEFING BY THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF UYO, PROFESSOR NYAUDOH NDAEYO ON THE OCCASION OF THE 29TH AND 30TH COMBINED CONVOCATION, HELD ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2024
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and Chairman 29th and 30th Convocation
Planning Committee
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)
Registrar & Secretary to Council
Bursar
Acting University Librarian
Other Principal Staff of the University
Members of the Fourth Estate
Ladies and Gentlemen
I want to seize this opportunity to first thank the Almighty God for His love, protection, faithfulness, mercies, guidance and grace upon us as individuals, families, and as an institution. I am very delighted to welcome you all to the University of Uyo, and the oldest Federal University in Akwa Ibom State. I feel highly honoured to have you here to perform our usual exercise of briefing the media to signal the commencement of the University’s most celebrated event – the convocation.
This year convocation is yet another very significant milestone ceremony in the life of this administration. It is significant in that it is a combined ceremony of 29th and 30th convocation in the series of this great citadel of learning.
Similarly, it is worthy to put on record that, this year’s convocation is the second in the life of my administration as the 8th substantive Vice-Chancellor of University of Uyo. Moreover, with this, there is no more “arears” of convocation in the University.
It may interest you to note that this University is one of the fastest growing and highly preferred second generation universities in the country. The 29th and 30th combined convocation has a total of Twelve Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty (12,450) graduands.
Breakdown shows thus:
Ph.D – 313
Masters’ Degree – 608
Postgraduate Diploma – 246
Total = 1,167
Bachelors Degree in the 2020/2021 session is 4,823
First Class – 56
Second class (Upper Division) – 1,737
Second Class (Lower Division) – 2,336
Third Class – 412
Pass – 282
Sub-total = 4,823
While:
Diploma – 176
Certificate – 5
Total = 5,004
Bachelor Degree in 2021/2022 session is 6,012
First Class – 118
Second Class (Upper Division) – 2,306
Second Class (Lower Division) – 2,895
Third Class – 481
Pass – 212
Sub-total 6,012
While
Diploma – 235
Certificate – 32
Total = 6,279
Summary
Total postgraduate graduands – 1,167
Total Undergraduate graduands – 10,835
Total Diploma Graduands – 411
Total Certificate Graduands – 37
Total = 12,450
Honorary Degrees of the University would be conferred on three (3) Eminent Nigerians. They are:
1 Chief Effiong Daniel Afiakurue
2 Mrs. Halima Suleiman Zakari
3 Dr. Itanwan Ita James
Honorary Professor Emeritus Degree of University of Uyo would be awarded to Professor Akpan H. Ekpo, Professor of Public Finance/Policy.
Also, Honorary Distinguished Professors Degree of the University would be conferred on three outstanding professors in the University. They are:
- Professor Enefiok Effiong Essien SAN – Faculty of Law
- Professor Godfrey Okon Udoh – Department of Estate Management
- Professor Enoabasi Essien Urua – Department of Linguistics & Nigerian Languages
In addition to convocation, I wish to inform the media of some of the remarkable strides this administration has recorded after the last year’s convocation ceremony.
ACCREDITATION OF PROGRAMMES
University of Uyo is a brand and we are determined to uphold and protect the brand. University of Uyo has historical records of academic excellence and service delivery so this administration is striving to uphold and even improve upon the already established standard. This could be attested by the high quality products and their contributions to the Global labour market. Currently, over 90% of our academic programmes had full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC), while the remaining constitutes the newly unbundled programmes which are undergoing the resources verifications and accreditations.
University of Uyo presently has a total of 100 programmes in 117 departments under 19 Faculties. Details would be disclosed during convocation. It is important to note here that those programmes that had full accreditations in 2019 are due for another NUC accreditation exercises between this month and next month, and the University is fully prepared, to ensure a hitch free exercise. A total of fifty four (54) programmes are due for the accreditation exercise. Thirty four (34) programmes had their full accreditation as at November 2023. Only 4 programmes had interim accreditations as at November 2023. They are:
- Chemical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Banking and Finance
- Marketing
All the 8 newly unbundled programmes in the new Faculty of Communication and Media Studies had their successful resources verification exercise. They are awaiting accreditation by National Universities Commission. The programmes are:
- Sc Advertising
- Sc Broadcasting
- Sc Development Communication Studies
- Sc Film and Multi-Media Studies
- Sc Information and Media Studies
- Sc Journalism
- Sc Public Relations
- Sc Strategic Communication
The Department of Political Science and Public Administration in the Faculty of Social Science has been unbundled into two departments, namely:
- Department of Political Science to award B.Sc Political Science
- Department of Public Administration to award B.Sc Public Administration
The two (2) programmes had their resources verification exercise last week.
STUDENTS WELFARE
The University Management considers the welfare of the students paramount as without students, there could be no University. In view of this, the present University administration is taking proactive steps to enhance the welfare of students. Facilities such as lecture halls and hostel accommodation are being expanded to cater for the increase number of students on campus.
The University has entered into Public-Private Partnership agreement for the building and equipping of more hostels for the University students. Staff Unions on campus, as well as the Students’ Union have a very cordial relationship with the University Management because of the culture of carrying staff and the students along. This, in a way, has led to relative peace in the University. The Automated Students’ Results Management System already in use in the University enhances students access to their results and transcripts online. Computer Based Test (CBT) for GST examinations now extended to most of the Foundational courses has led to the release of examination results within 48 hours.
STAFF
The present administration in the University is staff welfare proned. My administration is determined, by the grace of God, to ensure that staff are promoted as at when due. The staff promotion in the University is a yearly exercise and my administration has done it up to 2023. For 2024, the Appointment and Promotion Committee (A&PC) would meet at the appropriate time in order to recommend qualified staff for promotion.
It is worthy to note here that between December, 2020 when my administration commenced and October 2024, a total of 311 professorial promotion (i.e. 128 Professors and 183 Associate professors) have been announced.
Let me reiterate here that, this administration had resolved to promote staff training and development. This is done to ensure the enhancement of staff capacities and upskill them to meet the global standards and relevance. The University ensures that the desired qualified staff both teaching and non-teaching are granted Staff Development Awards and training, while staff with exceptional performance in their assigned duties and careers are commended.
INAUGURAL, PUBLIC LECTURES AND CONFERENCES
The University of Uyo as a Centre of Excellence is poised to uphold the academic tradition and best practices by hosting series of conferences, Inaugural and Public Lectures. From December 2020 to October 2024, the University has witnessed a total of 29 Inaugural lectures and many public lectures. Moreover, many conferences/workshops have been organized by faculties, departments, centres, professional bodies and the University based Unions.
UPDATES ON PHYSICAL STRUCTURES IN THE UNIVERSITY
At the inception of this administration in December 2020, a number of projects initiated by the previous administrations were inherited. This regime within its available resources ensures the completion of some of these projects while few ones are still ongoing.
Specifically, a total of 29 physical projects have been initiated during my tenure as the Vice-Chancellor. Out of the number, 9 were completed and put to use, 6 are practically completed while the remaining 14 projects are at various stages of completion.
I am glad to mention that, the number of projects completed has made it possible for the movement of 3 Faculties namely; Faculty of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Law from the Town Campus to the Main Campus at Nwaniba Road, thereby reducing the acute problem of shortage of physical structure in the University. A total of 7 completed projects are billed for official commissioning during the convocation. It is our hope that the contractors handling other projects will expedite actions in order to complete the remaining ongoing projects. Also, we have been able to establish a printing press and a one stop bookshop for the benefit of staff, students and the entire University Community among others.
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOST COMMUNITIES
The present administration of the University strives very well to ensure that there is a healthy relationship between the University and the host communities. To actualize this goal a Unit has been created in the Vice-Chancellor’s office with the Deputy Director as the head to liaise with the Community leaders or their representatives to foster harmonious relationship. This action has helped to broker peace and enhance a healthy coexistence. This notwithstanding, few cases of threats to peace and encroachments were noticed.
CHALLENGES
The University is faced with serious security threat, thefts of equipment and other facilities in the University. Others are inadequate funding, encroachment on the University land and shortage of manpower in some critical field of studies as a result of embargo on employment by Federal Government. Also, high cost of power and the epileptic supply of light is affecting the University.
WAY FORWARD
It is normally said that determination is the key of success. The University is determined to continue to project itself as a brand and to uphold the tradition of academic excellence. There is renewed hope that the Federal Government will improve the funding of the Universities in the country, grant approval for employment of more staff in the university system and implement policies that will enhance the growth and service delivery in the system. As a University, we are hopeful that the relative peace between the staff and students Unions on campus will be maintained.
CONCLUSION
I am very grateful to God for making it possible to have this convocation ceremony, my appreciation also goes to the Chancellor and Governing Council of the University led by Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdallah, the University Management and other stakeholders who have supported this administration to this point.
I want to also appreciate the press, particularly Akwa Ibom State Branch of Nigerian Union of Journalists for projecting the University of Uyo as a brand. It is hopeful that you will continue to make a balance reportage concerning the University of Uyo.
Thank you all and God bless.
Professor Nyaudoh Ndaeyo
Vice-Chancellor