•VC, guest speaker, call for serious academic studies as Paul University matriculates new students, postulants
From Obinna Odogwu, Ekwulobia
Paul University, Awka, Anambra State, a faith-based institution of higher learning, recently matriculated 190 students during its 7th undergraduate and 21st postulant matriculation ceremony. A breakdown of the figure shows that while the undergraduate students were 102 in number, the postulants were 88.
Speaking at the event organized to officially welcome the new students admitted into the institution for the 2016/2017 academic year, the Vice-Chancellor, Ven. Prof. Uche Isiugo-Abanihe said that the university is anchored on core values of spirituality, excellence, diligence, and moral rectitude. He added that based on the institution’s foundation of the protestant ethics of hard work, prudence, justice, truth and honour, they depend on God’s grace to propel the university to a higher pedestal from its present position.
“Paul University aims to be an enviable institution, a model for faith-based universities in the country, with predictable academic calendar and highly dedicated staff, and producing enterprising graduates, future leaders who would drive development, enterprise and the Ministry of God in the country” he stressed.
He disclosed that Paul University was rated 27th out of more than 100 universities in the country, in the recent webometric ranking of Nigerian universities conducted in the year 2016.
Also speaking, a guest lecturer at the matriculation ceremony, Prof. Evans Ibeagha, advised new students to hold their studies dear to their hearts, stressing that given the situation of the country at the moment, qualitative education remains the best option for personal and societal development.
Prof. Ibeagha, who doubles as the Bishop of Nike Diocese in Enugu State, said this while delivering a lecture on the topic entitled: “Faith-Based University in the Formation of a Total Man.” He reminded the students that academic excellence or otherwise depends on the effort they put into their studies. He, however, praised Paul University for maintaining high academic standard since inception.
Speaking on behalf of other matriculating students, Miss Ogbaji Ebere Nnaemeka, praised the university for possessing good infrastructures and other facilities that support teaching and learning.
“Despite the teething problems of a budding institution, Paul University is blessed with human and physical resources,” she said. She pointed to the untiring efforts of the Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers and staff to ensure that the University is in the best state for learning.
In the area of physical resources, she mentioned the well-lit classrooms fitted with functioning electric fans, white marker boards, lecterns and good chairs, desks and tables for staff and students, the well-stocked libraries with the main library boasting of a good functioning e-library section for the use of students.
She also listed the well-equipped laboratories for chemistry, physics and biology for practice exercises and the university’s halls of residence high standard accommodation. The event saw parents/guardians, friends and other relatives of the matriculating students thronging the venue to rejoice with the matriculating students.