The Federal Government has called for the review of University Curriculum with a view to attracting partnership in the development of education sector in the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari who is the visitor to the University stated this over the weekend at Choba near Port Harcourt during the combined convocation ceremony of the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 sessions.
Represented by the Minster of State for Education, Prof Anthony Onwuka, the President urged the University players to be law-abiding and assured of the federal government’s commitment in improving the nation’s education sector to conform with global best practices, even as he congratulated all the graduands for their academic feats.
In his remarks, the Emir of Gwandu and Chancellor of the University, HRH Gen. Muhammadu Ilayasu Bashir, expressed gratitude to the federal government for its continued funding of the tertiary institutions in the country, adding that he was happy that the University of Port Harcourt benefitted from the federal government’s massive infusion of funds for infrastructural development.
He used the opportunity to appeal to the federal government to ensure that the trend continued until all universities in the country can compete favourably with their counterparts in other parts of the world.
Also speaking, the Pro-chancellor of the University, Prof. Mvendaga Jibo said the university council has discharged its duties with a sense of purpose and total commitment to the stated goals of the university, adding that the council would continue to place high premium on the welfare of staff and students.
He called on the graduating students to utilize the skills they have acquired to better their lives.
In his own speech, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ndowa E.S. Lale said a total number of 9,452 students were conferred with higher and lower degree certificates. While giving a breakdown of the number the VC disclosed that a total of 4,681 graduates received higher degrees from the School of Graduate Studies for the two sessions.
He stated further that out of this number , 381 were conferred with the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in various specializations while 2,971 students bagged Masters degrees in various programmes, just as 1,329 bagged post graduate diploma certificates in various fields for the two sessions.
The Uniport VC also clarified that out of this number, 106 bagged first class honours 1,799 received second class upper division while 2,533 and 132 represented the second class and third class divisions respectively.
Mr. Chikaike Paul Kalu, son of Mr. Joe Kalu, our Political Editor, was among the successful students who graduated with first degree honour from the Uniport.
