Towards attaining the status of an accreditable university, the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, near Port Harcourt requires about 60 senior lecturers, Associate Professors and Professors.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Joseph B Kinanee, stated this in an exclusive interview with The Tide shortly after a familirisation tour on the university by the State Commissioner for Education, Prof Kinaye Ebeku.
According to the Vice Chancellor, towards this end, the first batch of promotion interview for senior lecturers has been carried out by the appointment and promotion committee.
The second batch, he continued, which will be for those who qualify for the positions of Associate Professors and Professors, will be  carried out in about a forthnight.
Those, who qualify for the second batch have therefore been asked to submit their papers, and these papers would be taken together and sent out for assessment.
“We expect that in the next one month or so, we should be able to get results before the next accreditation”, he said.
“Beyond these internal efforts, the Vice Chancellor is also appealing to the state government to be allowed to employ more senior lecturers and professors so that we will be able to get into the system to beef up our staff strength”, he said.
Kinanee had earlier in his speech at the occasion, revealed that out of 24 programmes in the university only two were granted full accreditation in 2013 by the National University Commission (NUC).
“The remaining twenty two programmes currently have interim accreditation”, he added.
Addressing the issue of accreditation, the commissioner for Education, Prof Ebeku affirmed that the university is working towards achieving full accreditation this time around.
He assured the vice chancellor that government would do all that is necessary to ensure that the university gets full accreditation in the remaining programmes.
The Rivers State University of Science and Technology will not hesitate to expel students found to indulge in acts capable of tarnishing the image of the institution.
Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Blessing C. Didia, stated this on Wednesday at the 34th matriculation ceremony of the university,
Didia, who stated this in his address at the occasion, charged the matriculating students to adhere strictly to the disciplinary policies of the university and the code of conduct as spelt out in the students hand book.
“You are advised to be conversant with the disciplinary policies of this university and the code of conduct which were spelt out in the students hand book.
“For the avoidance of doubts, all forms of examination misconduct including what is  commonly called sorting are punishable.
You must shun membership of any clandestine organizations or secret cult activities, as senate of this university will not fail to expel all bad elements from the university system”, he said.
While congratulating the students and welcoming them to the institution, the Acting VC also charged them to always engage in what is required of them by the university authorities.
‘One of the objectives of university education is to produce graduates who are found worthy in character and leaning and to be found worthy in character, you must be emotionally and physically balanced, morally and spiritually upright.
As you are starting a journey to an unknown destination, do not be among the seeds that will fall by the way side. Be among the seeds that will fall on fertile soil, germinate, grow, mature and  bear good fruits.
To do all these, you need to be closer to your God and take your studies seriously, he said.
A total of 3.912 students matriculated in seven faculties, Agriculture (185), Engineering (949), Environmental Science (255), Law (307), Management Sciences (1,119), Science (490) and Science Education (607)

Sogbeba Dokubo