UNIPORT VC, Prof Owunari, reflects on the journey so far, unveils activities to mark 33rd combined Convocation

Abuja, Nigeria – Prof Georgewill Owunari has explained that his vision as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State is to ensure that the institution does not only become a centre of excellence, success and opportunities but also a lever of optimum participation in the global knowledge arena with impacts.

Speaking newsmen on Thursday at the University’s Senate Chambers as part of the activities of the 33rd Convocation of UNIPORT which will witness award of 9536 first degrees and 9699 post graduate degrees and diplomas for 2018/2019 and 2019/2022 sets of graduands, Georgewill said he will continue to maintain collaborative, values-driven, inclusive, student-centered, and accomplishment-oriented University.

“I will continue count on everyone to contribute to the journey forward, he said, adding, “we will continue to provide the full gamut of tertiary education with our guiding north star being the need to transform our students into innovative leaders who will catalyze Africa’s growth and development; facilitating students’ transitions to livelihoods with a special focus on career-fairs, internships and entrepreneurship.”

On the.part of the University Staff, the VC also disclosed that his Vice-Chancellorship has modified career structure at the University, putting an end to over 16 years of demoralising career stagnation among staff.

He explained that the career structure he inherited on assumption office defectively restrained some staff of the institution from gaining career progression that demoralised those affected.

According to him, “the career structure of this university has been in the backline for more than fifteen, sixteen years. The old structure was such that some staff don’t have where to climb to. They get to a point and they’re stuck, no career channel to progress on.

“We realised the challenge and said it is not good enough. We ensure that all necessary actions, decisions were taken and the varsity now have a new career structure which has well been approved, stimulating opportunities of growth for staff in various career pacts.”

He stated that since assumption of office in July last year, he has achieved a number of infrastructural development, partnership with foreign universities, global partnership on tackling climate change, improved cohesion among management, governing council, senate, staff and students.

He also thanked immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, the TETFund, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state and others whose efforts in diverse contributions are helping to advance the fortunes of the university.

On the 33rd Convocation which opened yesterday, having been delayed by Covid-19 and the recent strikes, he disclosed that 161 of the 9536 graduands to receive bachelor degrees made 1st Class Honours just as 1028 of the 9699 Post Graduate Degrees and Diploma, will receive PHDs.

Thursday’s opening activities marking the 33rd UNIPORT combined convocation witnessed a convocation lecture, exhibition and the 1st Class graduates handshake with the VC, Friday will see award of 1st degrees and the grand finale Saturday with award of higher degrees and excellence awards and honoraries to deserving recipients.