The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Port Harcourt Study Centre, has matriculated about 1,000 students into the 2011/2012 academic year.

Out of this number, 800 students were admitted into the degree programmes while 200 students were admitted into the post-graduate studies.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe, disclosed this at the 7th Matriculation Ceremony held in Port Harcourt, recently.

Delivering his address at the ceremony, Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe, charged the fresh students to use the golden opportunity judiciously to enable them write a memorable chapter in the history of their lives.

Represented by the director of Port Harcourt Study Centre, Professor G. A. I. Nwogu, the Vice Chancellor told the matriculating students that the university is one that uses do-it-yourself approach.

According to him, NOUN is a 21st century university. “As you are already aware, the admission process is online. So also are the registration, assessments and examination processes”, he emphasised.

The Vice Chancellor urged the students to make good use of their study materials and other learning avenues at they would determine the level of their success at the end of their programmes.

His words: “Whatever the mind can conceive, it can achieve. If you can think it, you can do it, “Good thinking”, Good product”.

“You started by dreaming big to require university education. Congratulations.

“Let me boldly tell you that the rewards of hard work are many. So you will do well to keep this at the back of your minds as you go about translating your big dream into reality”, he maintained.

Administering the matriculation oath to the students, the Registrar of the institution, Mrs. Josephine Akinyemi, charged the students to abide by the requirements and demands of open and distance learning as exemplified by the university’s multi-model system of instructional delivery.

The registrar, who was represented by Mr. Bayo Emmanuel, advised them to pay due respect and be obedient to the vice-chancellor and other officers of the university at the headquarters, campuses and study centres.

She charged the students to observe all the regulations which may from time to time be issued for the good order and governance of the university.

She urged them to refrain from act that could disrupt the activities of the university or likely bring it into disrepute.

Expressing his views on the matriculation ceremony, a student of Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies, Mr Ikechukwu Achuoso, said he was overwhelmed with joy and expressed optimism that at the end of the programme, he would grab a lot of things.

According to him, “what I am experiencing here, now, I did not even expect it in this way. From what people are saying, the school is a nice one”.