About 588 students of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, have been forced to withdraw from their various academic programmes because of their inability to meet up the academic standard of the university.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Barineme Fakae, disclosed this yesterday at the 32rd matriculation ceremony of the university in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
While welcoming the newly admitted students, the vice chancellor reminded them that hardwork and dedication remained the watchword for academic excellence, stressing that the present administration in the university has zero-tolerance for examination malpractice and other social vices.
Fakae added that the Senate of the university would sanction any erring student found to have been involved in any of the unacceptable practices.
“You are, therefore, advised in your interest to obey the university rules and regulations, shun vices that will tarnish the good image of the university. We do not compromise on standard because our vision and values must continue to be held in high esteem,” the vice chancellor said.
Noting that matriculation ceremonies are rituals to announce formal admission of fresh students, Prof Fakae said “the matriculation oath you have taken today contains ethos and rules of intellectual engagement that will guide your behaviour all through the period of your stay in this university.”
The vice chancellor also explained the path to academic excellence in quality decision, diligence, doggedness, and devotion to God, and advised them to maintain excellence in line with the vision of the institution’s founding fathers.
He said that the institution has over the years developed academic programmes and faculties comparable to those in other countries, and that the onus was on the students to make proper use of both material and human resources at their disposal to their advantage.
Prof Fakae further stressed the need for students to be information and communication technology (ICT) compliant as most businesses were online in the university, noting that “you will recall that you undertook a computerised registration process, which included payment of school fees, clearance and online registration of courses.”
According to him, non-registration as a student at the beginning of every session implies loss of studentship as no score would be imputed for courses that were undertaken without due course registration.
He revealed that out of over 10,000 candidates that applied to RSUST through the Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB) and went through the University Matriculation Examinations (UME), only 2,955 candidates were found worthy to be admitted within the National Universities Commission (NUC) approved carrying capacity.
Meanwhile, in sustenance of its avowed passion for creativity and excellence, authorities of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, has honoured seven students for academic excellence.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Barineme Bekee Fakae, announced this yesterday during the 32rd matriculation ceremony held at the Convocation Arena of the institution in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The vice chancellor said that those honoured were students who emerged tops in the seven faculties of the university.
Top on the list is Miss Buekor Nyornebari Grace with matriculation number: DE2012/2550 of Applied and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, who scored 5.00 as her total 100-level CGPA. This means that Buekor scored A in all her courses in the first year.
Others were Okara Goodtime Chimnecherem with matriculation number: DE 2012/1603 in Public Law Department, who emerged best in the law faculty with 4.93 CGPA score; Okoroma Jeremiah Ifeanyi with matriculation number: DE 2012/1215 of Petroleum Engineering Department, who emerged first in the Faculty of Engineering with the CGPA score of 4.89; as well as Nwogu Prince Chinemerem with matriculation number: DE 2012/1346 of Quantity Surveying Department, who came tops in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences with CGPA score of 4.57.
Also honoured were Okorogu Chikwueabuka with matriculation number: DE 2012/2347 of Department of Accountancy, who came first in the Faculty of Management Sciences with CGPA of 4.33; Onyekwe Josefa Chiderah with matriculation number: DE 2012/0098 of Food Science and Technology, who emerged best in the Faculty of Agriculture with 4.08 CGPA score; as well as Briggs Sandra Opuene with matriculation number: DE 2012/3479 of Science and Technical Education, who emerged tops in the Faculty of Technical and Science Education, with CGPA score of 3.76.
The vice chancellor said those honoured were first year students, who came tops in their faculties.
They were given a laptop each as a way of encouraging them for their academic excellence.
Fakae said the award, which has become an annual ritual, is aimed at encouraging excellence and creativity in their academic pursuits.
He reiterated the fact that in the actualisation of creativity and excellence, the university would continue to encourage outstanding students, and urged the newly admitted students to take their studies seriously.
However, 588 students were asked to Withdraw for Academic Failure (WAF) as the vice chancellor noted that the present administration has zero tolerance for academic laxity.
Prof Fakae urged the new intakes to be diligent in their studies and to shun acts that could smear the good image of RSUST in its pursuit of excellence and creativity, stressing that those found below expectation would be shown the way out of the institution.

Accident victim at the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Lagos as Joint Health Workers strike continues in Lagos State, yesterday.

Chris Oluoh