MUOAU renews call for release of take-off grant 32 years after take-off
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia
The Vice Chancellor Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, has again called on the Federal Government to release the University’s take-off grant to enable the institution meet the numerous challenges confronting her.
Iwe who made the call on Thursday during the university’s 12th pre-convocation press conference revealed that the institution was facing problems of inadequate physical facilities, low funding, high demand on provision of amenities and public utilities especially electricity, water and bad roads.
He hinted that awards of First Degrees and prizes and conferment of higher Degrees will take during the convocation ceremony scheduled to hold on Saturday November 30.
The VC revealed that 4743 will be awarded with Bachelor’s Degree, 49 graduands will receive postgraduate diploma, 252 graduands will be awarded with Master’s degree, while 164 graduands will be receive Doctorate degree.
“The 12 convocation ceremony is a demonstration of our commitment to University culture and calendar. In this 12% convocation ceremony, we are admitting our 2019/2020 to 2023/2024 graduands into the Convocation” he explained.
He added that the University is still experiencing constant disruptions in academic calendars due to national industrial actions and students’ agitations.
The Vice Chancellor stated that MUOAU has cumulatively made giant strides in academics, human capital development, infrastructure, community service and administration in the last three decades of it’s existence.
He further added that the class of degree are first class 163, second class upper 1710, second class lower 2114, third class 734, 9 pass and 42 unclassified.
He said the University is making steady progress in the academic arena, adding that her graduates are part of the manpower that have been contributing immensely towards the socio-economic and political development of the nation, Nigeria and the world at large.
He said, “In line with the vision of our founding fathers, many of our products have become established farmers, employers of labour and major contributors towards ensuring food security in Nigeria. On the other hand, many of our staff have carried out cutting edge researches, won national and international grants, price awards
for community service and obtained fellowships from institutions, professional associations and organization.
“Nigerian Federal universities are yet to recover from the AD 2022 eight months’ long industrial action by staff unions. Even though the Federal Government has tried to address the issue of withheld salaries, there are still the issues of despondency and lukewarmness in the attitude of staff following the salary injury associated with that
experience.
“We have continued to make remarkable headway in various key areas in spite of the intriguing situation. For instance, we are succeeding in making MOUAU an entrepreneurial University in line with our dream of ensuring that it attains a level of enterprise that would enhance its resources.
“Our bread and biscuit factory, our water production and our Guest House outfit are steadily growing and giving name to our university. All our Colleges are also thriving. Our College of Animal Science and Animal Production (CASAP) and the College of Crop and Soil Sciences (CCSS), for instance, are
Vigorously driving a level of animal and crop production that is consistent with our vision.
“We are equipping our laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment and we will continue to do so for agriculture, sciences, engineering and technology.
“In the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), we are increasing the University’s bandwidth and almost achieving full coverage by the end of the year. We have embarked on the biometrics capturing of all our students to enhance security, strengthen examinations, facilitate the speedy preparation of transcripts and enhance ease of doing business.
“We have captured all our students electronically. Our Bursary Department is being fully computerized to enhance its operations. We have continued to also engage in important linkages with like-minds across the globe, to ensure that we continue to grow and make impact as a specialized University. At the present, we are having relationship with more than sixty two universities across the world”.
The convocation ceremony will be preceded with an Inter-Denominational Convocation Thanksgiving Service, Juma’at Prayer, novelty football match, and a conversation lecture tiled from IVORY TOWER TO INNOVATION HUBS: THE RENEWED HOPE AGENDA FOR ECONOMIC TRANSFORMTION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, to be delivered by Governor of Imo State Senator Hope Uzodinma.