Professor Ndowa Lale on Friday assumed office as the 8th Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers state, calling for collaboration among stakeholders of the university to make the institution a first choice for academic pursuit.
Speaking at his investiture ceremony in the university’s campus, Professor Lale promised to work for the actualisation of the dreams of the founding fathers of the institution.
The new Vice Chancellor also promised to promote a robust welfare scheme, quality scholarship and guarantee staff and students discipline in the school.
In an address, the outgone Vice Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ajienka noted that as the 7th Vice Chancellor, he set out to expand the frontiers of knowledge through creativity and innovation which brought forth rich intellectual harvest.
He recalled that he pioneered the establishment of the office of Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Development in the country, thus laying a firm foundation for quality scholarship.
Ajienka further said the university rose to become among others the centre of excellence for oil field chemical research, adding that the university was the first Nigerian partner institution with the African Virtual University, AVU, a move he said led to the establishment of an international open, distance e-learning, ODeL centre.
He called for support for the growth of the institution from all her Alumni and friends, stressing that the university, which is 40 years old, has become a beehive of activities.
Highpoint of the event was when the university conferred Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science, (D.Sc) Honoris causa on Mr Herbert Wigwe, Chairman of Access bank, (UK) limited and board member Nigerian Mortgage Refinance company.
Comments