By Ngozi Anosike
As a specialised institution, the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) graduands have been asked to prove to the world that they truly deserve the certificates and prizes conferred on them by the institution.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Okechuku Onuchuku gave the charge during the 44th convocation ceremony of the university.
He told them to be good ambassadors of the institution, adding that the university expected more commitment from them to the society and their alma mater and stressed on the need to use their extended contacts to serve and seek after the good of the university.
The Vice Chancellor who promised to continue with zero tolerance to corruption and other social vices that undermine the university’s credibility also asked them to render services to the university and support it to carry on with the training of their successors in character and in learning.
Congratulating them for making it to the finish line, he advised them never to abandon any project in their lives but use the knowledge and intellectual ability acquired in IAUE in making the country better.
He also charged the graduands to project the image of the university in the positive direction, not to bring the name of the school to disrepute and join the university’s alumni close to them.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdulahi Yusuf said that convocation ceremonies represent a defining moment in the life of a university as they represent a celebration of diligence, resilience, and academic institutions’ efforts in knowledge advancement.
Represented by the Commission’s Deputy Director, Theophilus Ogbor, he hinted that NUC has acknowledged and commended the university for its consistent efforts in promoting quality teacher education and upholding academic standards in line with national principles.
Assuring NUC’s continued support and commitment in fostering quality education, innovation and sustainability of excellence in Nigerian universities, he noted that IAUE’s efforts in training competent educators have remained pivotal to the transformation of the country ‘s educational sector, and urged the graduands to uphold the values and integrity the university is known for.
Meanwhile, the best graduating students from the department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Science, Adah Emmanuel Inalegwu has appealed to the university and relevant authorities to create clear pathways for top performing graduates especially first class students and best graduating students through automatic employment or structured placement opportunities.
He argued that such gesture would not only motivate students but address the wrong belief that academic excellence does not guarantee job opportunities after graduation.
He acknowledged that the labour market though competitive is not closed maintaining that there is still space for who those who are prepared, disciplined and determined. At the 44th convocation ceremony, 3,510 students graduated with First Degrees while 1,815 graduates earned Postgraduate Degrees.
