…sets agenda for being among best 200 universities in the world
ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU reports that the 4-day orientation activities marking the 2019/2020 Matriculation ceremony of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka has ended with a call from the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone on the fresh students of the institution to flee cultism in its all ramifications and ensure the genuineness of their certificates to avoid regrets.
Prof Esimone in his address during the Matriculation which was faculty based insisted that cultism is an anathema in the University, as all proven cultists are expelled. He went further to inform them that other deviant behaviours such as robbery, rape, among others are not tolerated in the University. He said the acts are both misconduct and crime punishable by expulsion from the University and terms of imprisonment by the state.
According to the Vice Chancellor in his address read by the Dean Faculty of Arts, Very Rev. Fr. Prof BonaChristus Umeogu and that of Faculty of Education, Prof Anthony Eze: ‘’ ….I pray that your stay in the university ends with your being found worthy in Character and learning to be conferred with a degree of the university.’’
Prof Esimone warmed students on falsification of their certificates as if anyone is found to have registered with fake certificates are expelled, whereas examination malpractice could fetch the person suspension for up to three years and even expulsion.
He reminded them that they must attend at least 75percent lectures and practical for you to be allowed to write examinations, even as he emphasized on the need to pay attention to payment of their school fees as and when due or run the risk of being excluded from examinations.
Prof Esimone informed the new students that the institution has linkages with many world renowned Universities spread across United States of America, China, Europe, and Africa as well as linkages with local institutions aimed at facilitating academic programmes development , teaching and research , public service and staff/student exchange.
He pointed out that the University has 14 faculties and 103 academic programmes accredited with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the relevant professional bodies including MDCN, COREN, ICAN, ANAN, ARCON, PCN, CORBON, ESVARBON, SURCON, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria Nigerian Council of Legal Education, Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria , Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria and Medical Rehabilitation Board of Nigeria.
Earlier during the Orientation, the Vice Chancellor , Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone had told the fresh undergraduate students: “If the certificates you submitted at the Admission Office are forged, my candid advice to you is that you pack your bag and baggage and leave now. There is a standing Senate Committee order that does the verification and if your certificate is forged or mutilated even for one subject, you will be expelled and handed over to the police’’.
Esimone also announced plans by the university to install Close Circuit televisions (CCTV) in all the examination halls to assist the institution in detecting culprits for immediate sanctions.
He stated further: “The university does not condone examination misconduct in any form and it takes strong disciplinary action as soon as it is detected. You are not allowed to sit for any examination for anybody or ask someone to write any exam for you. You are not allowed to talk to anybody except the invigilator.
Esimone also counselled the students to use opportunities offered by the institution which included work -aid scheme which offers indigent and physically challenged students financial assistance of N10,000 for working 5 hours a week, group personal insurance scheme, well equipped common rooms for relaxation and so on for their conducive learning.
The Dean, Students Affairs, Prof. Chinonso Achebe said the orientation course was to acquaint students with the university’s vision and mission, including its aim to rank among the top 200 universities in the world before the end of his 5 years term in office.
The Dean Faculty of Arts, Very Rev, Fr. Prof BonaChristus Umeogu in his remarks prayed for the new students to have sufficient grace from God for graduation and convocation in the university adding that the Faculty of Arts remained the greatest Faculty in the University because according to him, ‘Art humanizes’’, and the primus inter pares.
