Cross Rivers State has stated its commitment to continue to award scholarships to first class graduates of the state University of Technology (CRUTECH) to enable them study in any university of their choice in the world.

The State Governor, Governor Liyel Imoke gave the assurance recently at the 4th Convocation ceremony and installation of Ambassador Mathew Mbu as the first chancellor of the institution.

Governor Imoke also assured that the state would offer automatic employment to all award winners into its civil services.

“I will also like to use this opportunity to offer automatic employment to all our award winners into the Cross Rivers State Civil Service of they choose to join the service.

He said that the gesture was borne out government’s strong desire to strengthen and build the civil service, as well as build a new generation of leaders, adding that, “a good place to start is from the top flight graduates of our university.”

While commending the university management for its effort to raise the status of the institution through initiation of lofty projects and programmes, he further urged the institution to beef up efforts at internally generated reveue, particularly from its consultancy services to reduce over dependence on government in implementating its programmes.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Eneobong Effiom Eneobong said a total of 748 students graduated in the 2008/2009 session.

Of this number, he said, one student graduated with first class, 106 made second class lower division, 224 graduands made third class, while four graduated with a pass.

He thanked the state government and other donor agencies for their support to the university to attain its present height and urged them to continue supporting the university, especially in the area of logistics to take the institution to the next level.