A total of 91 fresh medical students have been admitted as second batch in to the College of Medical Sciences of The Rivers State University, (RSU) Nkpolu, Port Harcourt and were among the 3,750 students recently inducted as Fresh students of the institution.
The vice chancellor of the University, Prof Blessing Chinezie Didia stated this during the 37th matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the convocation arena, in Port Harcourt, Wednesday.
Didia said the measure was intended to keep alive the vision of the founding fathers of the State and give hope to Rivers people in their quest to achieve health care for the State in the Future.
He opined that the purpose of establishing a university was for the acquisition and transfer of knowledge from one generation to another, adding that the provision of appropriate skills and knowledge for economic development through technological innovations and development of new ideas also constitute some of the reasons for the establishment of a university.
According to him, “the current trend in the universities world wide is the transformation of the system from not only providing knowledge but the re-evolution of their mission and strategies to move the institution forward, especially at this age of massive competition. All that the situation demands now is that any university who wishes to succeed has to be ready to compete, exploit opportunities and generate ideas, this becoming relevant, excellent and reputable” he stated.
The RSU Vice Chancellor averred that it was with the vision to develop a model university that his administration consciously forged partnership with the private sector to tap into available finances for Research and Development.
He stated that the university currently is collaborating with Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre Ltd, through the state Ministry of Employment to set up a fashion village at the university with the aim to train Rivers youth in fashion skills as to mass produce coverall, uniform for schools and industries as it would contribute to address the challenges of unemployment in the state as well as remove the youth from crime.
Prof Blessing further disclosed that the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) will soon have a befitting complex, with offices, classrooms, auditorium, etc adding that the building which was under construction would be furnished and connected to National grid.
He thanked the Tet fund for approving the project, adding that the complex when completed would also double as the Hub for the envisaged Business School of the University.