The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) is set to confer first-class degrees on 363 graduands during its 35th convocation ceremony.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Owunari Georgewill, made this announcement at a news conference held on Monday in Port Harcourt.
Prof. Georgewill said that the conferment of degrees, higher degrees, diplomas, prizes, and related ceremonies would take place from July 21 to July 26.
Georgwill further explained that the convocation was primarily for students who completed their academic programmes during the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic sessions.
A breakdown of the figures indicates that a total of 14,861 graduands would be conferred with various qualifications during the combined convocation.
In the undergraduate category, 9,788 students would receive first degrees, with 363 of them bagging first class honours.
Under the postgraduate category, no fewer than 2,008 students would be awarded Post Graduate Diplomas, 2,131 would receive Master’s degree, and 934 would be conferred with Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
Georgewill further announced that four distinguished Nigerians would receive honorary doctorate degrees.
These include the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; the Chairman of TETFund, Aminu Masari, and Gov. Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa.
He described the convocation as a symbolic season of harvest, during which the university evaluates its progress in infrastructural development, academic programming, global visibility, research collaborations, and challenges.
Speaking on infrastructure, the vice-chancellor noted that the university had recorded considerable development through the support received from the Federal Government via Needs Assessment interventions, TETFund, and Capital Projects initiatives.
According to him, these interventions have led to the renovation of the existing structures, the construction of new office buildings, and the upgrading of learning environments across various faculties.
Georgewill said that UNIPORT could now boast of best laboratories, sports complex, fully equipped health facilities, a counselling centre, entrepreneurial centre, and world-class Convocation Arena – all aimed at producing a well-rounded graduate.
He highlighted a major renewable initiative, stating that, in partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the university had commenced the construction of a 10.7MW solar hybrid power plant under the UNIPORT Solar Farm programme.
He said that on completion, the plant would supply steady electricity to the university, the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), and the surrounding communities.
“This marks a significant milestone in our renewable energy drive and journey towards sustainability and energy independence,” he added.
As part of the ongoing academic expansion, Georgewill announced the establishment of three new faculties, the Faculty of Computing, the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, and the Faculty of Media and Communications.
He also said that over 1,000 students had been awarded scholarships through a robust partnership with 13 external sponsors.
“UNIPORT continues to attract international research grants and strategic collaborations, leading to the establishment of two Africa Centres of Excellence (ACEs) funded by the World Bank.
“These include the ACE for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR) and ACE for Oilfield Chemicals Research (ACE-CEFOR).
“These centres are playing a key role in human capital development and conducting world-class research with both regional and global impact,” he said.
The vice-chancellor stated that the university was taking deliberate steps towards becoming a fully digitalised institution.
According to him, plans are underway to establish specialised laboratories, STEM labs, and a dedicated research centre.
He said that the university also aimed at constructing smart classrooms and installing smart boards, alongside building a cloud-based infrastructure that would grants students and staff access to e-books, academic journals, virtual laboratories, databases.
Georgewill, however, appealed for increased funding and the construction of hostel accommodation, staff quarters, internal road networks and street lighting, a central administrative building, additional office spaces, among others.
He lamented the continued encroachment upon UNIPORT’s land by unauthorised individuals.
