The Vice-Chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, Professor Barineme Fakae, has challenged medical laboratory scientists not to compromise their job because it involves life and also provides accurate analysis for effective medical operation.

Professor Fakae, who made the call at the 5th induction and oath taking ceremony of the graduands of medical laboratory science of the university, said the importance of the medical laboratory scientist lies on the fact that a doctor cannot carry out effective medical operation without accurate analysis of the illness.

The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented at the occasion by the Dean, Faculty of Science, RSUST, Dr Friday Sigalo, therefore, urged the inductees to be good ambassadors of the university, noting that the profession has come to stay in the country.

He told them to jealously guide their profession by being excellent in their career, and assured that the university would soon build a world class laboratory in all the departments in the institution.

Also speaking, the Registrar of Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MCSCN), Professor Anthony Emeribe, reiterated the determination of the council to reposition the profession to international standard.

In a brief remark, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor H. I. Hart, said the Medical Laboratory Science Department has recorded tremendous achievements and urged the inductees to bear the oath in their mind in the discharge of their duties at all times.

The Head of Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Dr N. P Adikema, disclosed that the problem of accommodation in the department would soon be a thing of the past and commended the inductees for the successful ceremony.

The Chairman, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, Dr Chris Mbata, described the inductees as unique, noting that they were the first to be given temporary license to operate and assured of zero tolerance on quackery in the profession.

Responding on behalf of the inductees, the best graduating student, Anthonia Okolo, thanked all for their support and motivation, and stressed the need for the institution to engage more lecturers in order to further improve the academic standard in the university.

About 148 students from RSUST and Imo State University were inducted during the ceremony which attracted high profile personalities in the university environment in the country.

Collins Barasimeye