The Federal Government has expressed delight over the higher academic heights attained by the University of Port Harcourt.

President Goodluck Jonathan made the commendation Saturday at the 29th Convocation ceremony of the University.

“Let me commend the Governing Council, Management, Senate and staff of this university for the great strides that have been made collectively, to take this institution to higher academic heights,” Jonathan said.

President Jonathan, who urged the institution not to relent in making the nation proud in its sustained tradition of academic excellence, said the Federal Government has taken note of on-going projects within the university.

“It is hoped that by the next convocation most of these projects, funded mostly through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) and the internally generated revenue of the university, would have been completed,” he promised.

Represented in the ceremony by the Honourable Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, the president, who indicated special interest in commencement of Law programmes in the university, stated that the sum of N1 billion had been committed to it, out of which N500 million had already been released to demonstrate government’s commitment.

The president further reiterated his administration’s commitment to provision of access and quality education at all levels in the country and assured that government would sustain and improve effective teaching, learning and research as to support the rapid development of the country.

Vice Chancellor  of the University, Prof Joseph Ajienka had earlier stated that the Senate of the University was working tirelessly to ensure best practices both in teaching and learning.

Prof Ajienka said that UNIPORT was determined to ensure that research results no longer serve the purpose of promotion for academics alone but to create wealth and make it relevant to society as is the case in other societies.

Highlight of the event was the conferment of Honorary Degree on billionaire business Mogul, Alike Dangote and three other accomplished personalities for their immense contributions to the country and humanity.

The others were Ace Historian, Emeritus Professor Tekena Tamuno, President of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), Dr Lamine Diack Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon.

A total of 6,938 bagged Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D while 1,648 received certificates.

A further breakdown shows that 20 got First Class grade, 5,208 got first degree, 1,581 got masters while 149 got the prestigious Ph.D.

Chris Oluoh