Fresh students of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology have been warned against declaration of false documents.
Addressing 3,309 fresh students who matriculated at the university convocation arena, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Prof. Barineme Fakae said any student who presents false documents will be held responsible.
According to him, “you are therefore encouraged to acquaint yourself with the code of conduct of this university which is well spelt out in the student hand book. This will guide your operation in the institution as well as your matriculation oath which contains ethos and rules of intellectual engagement that will guide your behaviour all through the period of your sojourn in this university.”
Prof. Fakae advised them to take their studies seriously and shun membership of all anti-social activities as the gate of RSUST is now shut at all times against those who will derive pleasure in engaging in despicable activities such as cultism, examination malpractices, among others, pointing out that the senate of the institution would not tolerate such behavior, rather will not hesitate to show the way out to all bad elements from the system.
“For you to join any club or organization, you are therefore advised to cross check with the department of students’ affairs for lists of all approved clubs and societies in the university,” he added.
The UST vice-chancellor further disclosed that the university was currently collaborating with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency, RSSDA, to encourage students who choose to study agriculture, stressing that every student admitted into the faculty of Agriculture to study animal science, crops/soil science, fisheries and forestry and those reading Agriculture, engineering are provided with an automatic scholarship of N200,000 in their first year and the same amount is given annually in subsequent years of their studies until graduation, if they maintain ACGPA of 3.3.
He advised all fishermen and women to get abreast with the content of the documentary orientation videos, CDs, they may have received from the faculties to ensure that those who did not attend the orientation ceremony refresh themselves with the guidelines.
Prof. Fakae commended governor Amaechi for providing a conducive environment for learning, teaching, among others and appealed to companies, public-spirited individuals, organizations, to give the university adequate support and collaborate with the university by funding research and teaching activities.
Prof. Fakae who revealed that the senate of the institution has enacted a new policy for the practice of student unionism, stressed that only those students with a minimum of second class upper division cumulative aggregate (3.5) could be part of student union leadership, adding that such leadership position cannot be held in the final year of study which includes leadership of faculties, association and fellowship.
The highlight of the ceremony was the award of prize of a laptop to the best performing year one student of the seven faculties of the university.
Prof. Fakae congratulated those who received the prize, stressing that the award will be extended to the fresh students who would take the challenges to be the best in their faculties at the end of the first year. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
