The Vice Chancellor, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, has dropped the hint that the institution will soon wear a new look in the coming months, as discussion with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC and the Rivers State Government has reached advanced stages.
Onuchuku, said the main campus of the State Owned institution will benefit from the developmental policies of the interventionist Agency, following a recent meeting between the Institution and top management of NDDC, at the Commission’s Corporate Headquarters in Port Harcourt the State capital.
He disclosed that the Commission has promised to convert the exit gate to become the new main entrance into the campus, with the construction of internal roads and other facilities.
On the part of the State Government, Onuchuku said the staff quarters belonging the Institution were handed over to the previous government of the State, with the understanding that new staff quarters will be constructed at the new site of the main campus referred to as new haven.
He said that the decision was taken in a bid to enhance the productivity of lecturers who found it very demoralising living in the dilapidated off-campus staff quarters.
He noted that the construction of staff quarters on campus will reduce stress associated with commuting to the campus for lectures, and expressed gratitude to the Sir Siminialayi Fubara led administration for accepting to continue with the planned construction of the staff quarters initiated by his predecessor.
He further disclosed that in terms of infrastructural development, he was able to secure the approval of over N1 billion during the administration of the immediate past Governor, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, to overhaul the Ndele and St John’s Campuses of the Institution.
Noting that some faculties or department will be transferred to the Ndele campus to maximise the use of the current state of facilities at the campus.
On the recent approval given by the National Universities Commission, NUC, Onuchuku told the leadership of Independent Newspaper Publishers Association of Rivers State, RIVPA, that on assumption of office, he had discovered discrepancies in the admission process and academic calendar of the institution, especially as regards the Post Graduate programmes.
Consequently, an Academic brief was developed for the institution with a list of all ongoing and future programmes. So far, the institution is offering over 50 programmes with the recent approval of over 20 additional programmes by the NUC.
He said lecturers have been adequately motivated and encouraged to attain Maximum academic exposure and global recognition. Noting that the institution has spent a lot of money on unit, departmental and faculty conference as part of efforts to enhance manpower and productivity.
He also disclosed that the institution has zero tolerance for exam malpractice and bribery, which is popularly called “sorting”. A committee headed by Prof. Kalagbor has been constituted to tackle the menace of “sorting”.
Earlier in her speech yesterday August 25th, RIVPA Chairman, Gloria Boma Harry expressed the need for institutions to collaborate with the press with the view to strengthen the quality of reportage on the education sector.
Her words: The leadership of RIVPA is indeed very excited to have the privilege of this visit, which will afford us the opportunity to interact with the management of this institution and also commend the Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Okey Onuchuku for transforming the academic and overall outlook of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in less than two years after assuming office.
“We have heard about the laudable achievements recorded under Your leadership and today, we have seen the infrastructural development in this institution.
“Being particularly concerned about the quality of manpower available in the labour market for employers like us whose business in the media is hinged on intellectual and innovative thinking, RIVPA thought it necessary to commence visits to tertiary institutions and we must confess that Ignatius Ajuru University of Education has surpassed our expectations.
“With due respect to other professions, we believe that the media is at the core of every academic pursuits, because research data, especially secondary data is mostly collected from publications made by journalists or publishers.
“With the foregoing, we are here to request for a robust partnership which will further impact on the quality of our reports relating to academic institutions such as the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education.
“We want to thank you, Professor Onuchuku and your management team for granting us audience as we look forward to future partnership aimed at impacting on society and the youths in particular.”
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