Prof. Owunari Georgewill identifies educational setback, unveils roadmap for a better UNIPORT

In this exclusive interview with a Professor of Pharmacology, Researcher, Administrator and Academic, Prof. Owunari Abraham Georgewill KSC, JP, the roadmap for a better University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT, was unveiled to Africa Update.

Excerpts of the interview:

Question 1: Would you say Universities have performed exceptionally well in producing morally and academically sound youths?.

If you say exceptionally well, that adjective is not appropriate. it is not appropriate!. Even Universities abroad will not use the word exceptionally. I think the adjective is too strong. to a large extent, the universities are trying to produce youths who will fit into the society, as much as possible. I think a greater percentage of them will fit into the society. There may be some bad ones but the universities try. That’s why most Universities award degrees in character and in learning. Not only degree for your knowledge but also for your character. And don’t forget, a lot of universities do things when people don’t fall in line with that character. Students are shown the way out, for example, exam malpractices, cultism, these are many things you will do in the university and you are not surely going to get that certificate. So, universities are doing thing to make sure you come out in character and in learning.

Question 2: What could government do differently to improve the education sector, especially in the tertiary institution?

They don’t need to do anything differently. They need to increase funding to the universities. They need to make education priority. One of the first things to look at. Because, you see, the Sustainable Development Goal is looking at 2030, when education will be accessible to all youths. Quality education, Alright?. And that can only be achieved if government do more in terms of budgetary allocations to the universities and the entire educational sector. Education is not only universities. Look at all the tiers of education. more funding!.

Question 3: In recent times, we are aware that UNIPORT has been in the news, more so, because we are expecting to have a new Vice Chancellor. I know that you are one of those who are aspiring to occupy this office. What is your motivation or dream behind your quest? .

My motivation lies in the fact that I have been in that university for a long time. I have been in that university for about 25 years, so, I have seen a lot. I have not seen all, but I have seen a lot in that university and I believe that I can offer service, to bring about some changes that can make that University more prosperous. Changes that can make that university more people oriented. People oriented in the sense that we will think more about the students, more about the staff, more about those who do business there. When we do that, they will put in their best and when they put in their best, the university will grow and become more prosperous. I am saying this because other things we need, such as infrastructure, ethics, and so on, will come in place, if people are really the centre of governance in that institution.Other things will fall in place.#