The Vice Chancelor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Prof. Barineme Fakae, has charged the Alumni Association of the institution to do all it could to promote the university in a very positive light, as well as remain permanent image makers of the institution.
Prof. Fakae gave the charge while delivering a lecture titled “The Anticipated Role of the Alumni Association in the Credibility Recovery for the University,” during the national annual convention of the RUST Alumni Association at the amphitheatre, UST campus, last weekend.
Prof. Fakae recalled that the foundation fathers of the institution stated that its mission should be to seek to offer men educational opportunity and experience for the pursuit of learning in the relevant branches of knowledge, including encouraging and promoting excellence in original creative and scholarly research (basic and applied) in fostering a learning process with a problem solving content, support and sustain the expansion of the frontiers of human knowledge in the various disciplines, responding especially to the contemporary scientific and technical demands and challenges of society, among others.
He regretted that the university was doing well until 2000 when its fortunes started to plummet and things deteriorated to the extent that by 2005 only 8 out o the 39 academic programmes that were run, were accredited by the National University Commission (N.U.C).
It also lost its license to run its MBA programmes which remained so until 2007 when the visitor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi described it then as “dead and buried” because cultisms was at its highest, infrastructural and environmental decay were its hallmark, records were in shambles, over admission, racketeering, which was glaring and enjoyed by those who benefited, examination malpractices, among others. He added that the development necessitated the setting up of the powerful Prof. Muzaco Jubril visiting panel by the Rivers State government in 2005 and the release of the government white paper which may identify those that were culpable is still awaited.
According to him, the ugly scenario created challenges to the institution until he was appointed the Vice-Chancellor of the institution by governor Amaechi, adding that his administration has improved the institution.
In his words “what the alumni can do is endless in the face of many challenges”.
He commended the Alumni for starting the first ever national secretariat which will now be a point of contact for every graduate of the university.
Earlier in his address, the national president of the UST Alumni, Dr. Gladson Nwoka, gave God the glory for his infinite support and benevolence towards the university (alma mater) and her graduates.
Dr. Nwoka recalled that the institution Alumni was to maintain, enhance and perpetuate a mutually beneficial and enduring relationship among the alumni, the university and their respective communities. .
The president revealed that present executive council of the association came into power on November 26, 2011, having been elected at the annual convention held at Beverly Hills Hotel in Port Harcourt with great challenges which includes the conflict between the alma mater’s chapter of the academic staff union of the universities and the university authority, the absence of an office for administrative purposes and others.
He commended Prof. B.B Fakae, university management and Dr. George Sekibo, the senator representing Rivers East in the Senate for the immediate provision of the strategic seat for the project.
He thanked Hon. Dakuku Perside for his relentless support to the institution and those who supported the Alumni in one way or the other.
In his address, the chairman of the occasion, Senator George Sekibo who is a member of the Alumni described the day as the coming together of the UST Alumni, adding that the essence of the Alumni was to come together and know the success, the welfare of the members, cherish together and help one another when necessary.
He recalled that the institution has produced personalities across the nation including senators, Representatives, governors, commissioners, among others, adding that they came together to strengthen the Alumni.
The Alumni bestowed excellence awards to six of the members who have contributed immensely in support of the Alumni.
The awardees include Senator George Thomson Sekibo, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, Barr. Rufus N. Godwins, Mr. James E. Nemiebo former chairman of the Alumni, among others.
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
