Education
VC Lists Funding As Major Constraint Of RSUST
Acting Vice Chancellor
of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Professor Blessing C. Didia has categorised challenges faced by the institution into six key areas, among which is funding.
He made the categorisation recently in an address he presented during the maiden familiarisation visit of the state commissioner for Education, Professor Kaniye Ebeku to the university.
Professor Didia stated that while funding is critical to the achievement of a world class university, the state-owned university “does not receive subvention from government for capital projects”, and budgetary allocation are also not released.
“The TET fund and similar intervention funds when released are tied to specific projects. The university only relies on Internally Generated Revenue for its municipal services and running costs.
“This is grossly inadequate to sustain the university and make it to discharge its numerous responsibilities”, he said.
Other areas of constraints, Professor Didia continued, are what he captioned Accreditation, Litigation against the university, Nimi Briggs hospital abandoned faculties of Environmental and management Science building project, as well as the College of Medicine.
In accreditation, the Acting Vice Chancellor revealed that the Nigeria University Commission (NUC) recently concluded accreditation of twelve programmes of the university which have been due since 2014.
According to him, accreditation fee in addition to other expenditure and personnel requirements have also been met. For this purpose the governor had approved the sum of N150 million out of a bill of over N600 million.
He noted that the university has eleven litigations involving the university, but that efforts are being made to settle some of it out of court.
Professor Didia further informed the commissioner that while the school has taken over ownership of the Nimi Briggs Hospital in the campus from the contractor, “the facilities need adequate maintenance for sustainability.
On abandoned facility projects in Environmental and Management Sciences, he urged the commissioner to revisit the projects “with a view to commencing and completing the faculty buildings “, which he said are prerequisites for their accreditation.
Meanwhile, Professor Didia, noted that while the university is ready to admit students into the medical school by the 2016/2017 academic session, there is the need for the commissioner to “Consider to classify the College of Medicine as a special project and assist with commensurate funds for its take-off”.
Responding, the Commissioner for Education assured the Acting Vice Chancellor of the state governor’s interest and determination to improve the educational standard of the institution and other state-government owned educational institutions.
“I can tell you categorically that RSUST is an institution after the heart of His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike … moreover, His Excellency is strongly committed to ensuring the establishment and commencement of a college of medicine in the university”.
SogbebaDokubo
Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Prof James Oyatse (right), with Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja (middle) and Prof. S. J.S. Cookey, during the Vice Chancellor’s visit to the monarch in Port Harcourt recently.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, emphasised the need for students to go beyond academic achievements during the university’s 43rd Convocation ceremony.
The theme, “The University Culture In Practice, The IAUE Experience,” highlights the importance of embracing cherished traditions and intellectual values that define great universities.
Prof. Onuchuku encouraged the new graduates to work hard and persevere, noting that their convocation marks a new beginning in their careers and personal lives. He emphasised that they must prove themselves worthy of the certificates and prizes they have received.
According to him, out of 2,887 first-degree graduands, four made First Class, 403 secured Second Class Upper, 2,030 got Second Class Lower, and 450 graduated with Third Class. Additionally, 1,492 postgraduate students graduated, including 306 PhD holders.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), praised the university’s commitment to academic excellence and institutional maturity. He commended the Acting Vice Chancellor for achieving full accreditation for 47 academic programmes and implementing the NUC’s Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards.
The administrator urged the new graduates to uphold the positive values instilled in them by the university and strive for continuous knowledge and improvement.
By: King Onunwor
The Niger Delta Students Union Government, Rivers State Chapter (NIDSUG), has suspended its planned protest against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) state office in Port Harcourt. The suspension followed an intervention by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.
The students had planned to protest on Thursday, citing alleged neglect by the NDDC, particularly in welfare and capacity-building programmes for students from the state. However, after the police intervention, the students agreed to participate in a roundtable discussion with the commission to address their concerns.
NIDSUG leader, Comrade Loveday Njoku, expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s alleged exclusion of students from benefiting from its programmes. He presented a seven-point demand, including the reintroduction of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Njoku emphasised that education is crucial for community development and urged the commission to invest in the future leaders of the state.
The students warned that if their demands are not met, they will resume the protest and occupy the state commission office until their demands are addressed. Despite previous attempts to reach out to the commission’s management team, the students claimed their efforts were unsuccessful.
By: Akujobi Amadi
As part of efforts to improve the welfare and overall quality of education for students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Sole Administrator, Sir (Dr.) Clifford Ndu Walter DSSRS, FCAI, JP, paid an unscheduled visit to Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi.
During the visit, Sir Walter expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the school and its surrounding environment. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of the education sector, stressing its critical role in nation-building.
“I have visited the primary school in Ogbogoro, and now I’m here at the Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi. I am not satisfied with what I’ve seen,” he stated, indicating that more surprise visits to schools would follow.
To address the issues, the Sole Administrator directed the Council Engineer to commence process for rehabilitation of the school.
The visit was part of a broader initiative aimed at conducting on-the-spot assessments of educational facilities to determine the level of intervention required by the local government council.
Dr. Walter also assured the teachers of his unwavering commitment to revamp the school and improve the learning environment for both staff and students.