Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Edo State University Uzairue Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof Emmanuel Aluyor has said the university will on Saturday graduate a total of 414 undergraduate students and her first set of postgraduate programmes at the 5th convocation ceremony.
He said this during the press briefing as part of activities marking the 5th convocation ceremony of the university.
Prof Aluyor stated that 12 students would obtained first class Honours, 154 will be receiving second class Honours (Upper Division), 234 will achieve second class Honours (Lower Division), while 14 will earn third class degrees.
On the other hand, he said 9 out of the 14 candidates have completed their PhD programmes, 4 have successfully completed their M.Sc and M.A degrees while 38 will be receiving postgraduate Diplomas.
He further revealed that the university has experienced growth in both students enrollment and the number of faculties and departments which include Arts and communication, Management and Social Sciences, Applied Health Science, Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Clinical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Engineering, Science and Law with 32 departments.
The VC also said that the university has also obtained approval from the NUC to commence additional new programmes ie Nursing Science, Law and Civil Engineering in the postgraduate programmes. While the NUC has also conducted resource verification visit for various new programmes such as Software Engineering, Cyber Security, Broadcasting, Media Journalism, Miming Engineering, Production Engineering and Mechatronics Engineering saying academic activities would soon commenced in those departments.
Prof Aluyor stated that the university has been working diligently to fulfill its purpose and vision of its founders, “Our goal is to be an exceptional institution for teaching and learning”.
According to him, “Despite various obstacles, the university has continued to operate and successfully graduate students as at when due”
On the students population, he said the university is currently projected to grow to over 4,500 students by the end of the ongoing admission process as the university’s consistent growth and its ability to attract more students is certained.
Prof Aluyor further stated that the university 5th convocation lecture with the title: Harnessing The Potentials of Nigerian Youth for National Unity And Development, is to be delivered by Brig. Gen. Yushau Dogara Ahmed, Director General, National Youth Service Corps.
He said the university will be confering the award of honorary doctorate degree (Honoris Causa) on two notable Nigerians, Dr. Mrs. Owen D Omogiafo and Mr. Eric Idiahi, for their illustrious career and wonderful contributions to the development of Nigeria.
Prof Aluyor however reiterated the University’s commitment for its long-standing practice of giving a prize of N5 million to the graduating student who has the most innovative and potentially lucrative business idea.
“We have kept this promise because of our belief that when our students graduate from this school, we want them to not only to have the skills necessary to find employment but to also become self-employed and be able to employ others”, Aluyor said.