Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike has matriculated 4781 fresh students with a strong warning to students to shun cultism and Indecent dressing within the school.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, who gave this warning on Friday during its 31st matriculation ceremony, stated that out of the 4781 matriculants, 4600 were Undergraduates, 150 of Continuing Education and 31 Post Graduate, PG students.
He noted that the above figure is grossly inadequate when compared with the teeming population of candidates seeking admission into the University.
“We hope that the figure will increase next year following the admission of students into the Department of Food Engineering and the re-listing of our courses in the College of Management Sciences,” he said.
Speaking on the moral code of the university, he emphasized that the University is a community of decency and moral decorum which transforms insipid people into jewels found worthy in character and in learning.
“To achieve and attain this height of excellence in character and in learning, this University maintains zero tolerance for indecent dressing, cult activities and other anti-social behaviours. It is not a society of rascals or a hub for acts of prostitution.
It is still an enviable virtue for the female and even the male folk to dress decently, modestly and reasonably. The Senate is coming up with sanctions against indecent dressing any time from now,” he warned.
Furthermore, Iwe talked about new developments in the school noting the introduction of electronic results handling to facilitate the release of examination results and graduands transcripts.
“We are providing more lecture halls, laboratory equipment and meeting the needs of our Departments and Colleges in the interest of our students.
“We now have a Centre for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Agribusiness Incubation Centre (ABIC) etc., that show how contemporary we are. The UNDP is equipping a laboratory for skill development for the university through their UNIPoD program,” he said.
He charged parents to effectively fund their children to enable them their fees promptly while advising the students to stop spending this fund on irrelevant and frivolous matters.
He congratulated the matriculating students and challenged them to make effective use of the opportunities offered by the institution.
Speaking to the Whistler, a Matriculating student , name undisclosed , expressed joy and gratitude to God for the opportunity to study in such a prestigious institution.
“It wasn’t easy for me, after writing Jamb twice and getting rejected by other institutions, it was really a happy moment for me when I got admitted by Umudike at my third sitting,” she said.
The ceremony concluded with the Vice Chancellor officially swearing in the students and reiterating a stern warning against examination malpractice.
According to Prof. Iwe, such actions not only jeopardize students’ academic standing but also tarnish the reputation of the institution.
The event was marked by joyous celebrations as the new students pledged to abide by the rules and regulations of the university while pursuing their academic and personal development goals.
