DELSU VC, Professor Egwunyenga, Underscores Importance of Students, Pledges Close Attention

The Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU), Professor Andy Egwunyenga has underscored the importance of students in any institution of learning, hence the effort of the University management and staff to mould them into important citizens that would positively impact their societies, Myschoolnews gathered.

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Professor Egwunyenga was speaking yesterday at a three-day orientation programme organized by the University to familiarize the fresh students with the rules and regulations guiding their stay in the University with a view to making them better and more effective citizens. He reminded the new students that the University was Universal in nature, where academic freedom was unfettered with the core mandate of teaching, research and community service.

Professor Egwunyenga, an astute administrator who has been providing an enlightened and committed leadership to the University, stressed the need for the fresh students to imbibe the habit of hardwork for self reliance, adding that “there is no short cut in life. You have to burn the midnight oil”.

He drew their attention to the significant motto of the University, “Knowledge, Character and Service”, and the inspiring and thoughtful lyrics of the University Anthem and urged them to be familiar with its content and live by the values therein espoused.

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He used the opportunity to explain to them that the University was a self-governed community where rules and regulations must be obeyed as breaches would be sanctioned. In order to make them understand and appreciate the thinking of the University, on certain areas of life, Professor Egwunyenga informed that the University had approved six policies as article of faith to guide the behaviour of members of the University community.

The Policies, according to the chief executive officer, are on: security, sexual harassment, gender, research and innovation, plagiarism, and environment. He spoke briefly on sexual harassment policy which disallowed any attempt by a staff to intimidate a female student to act against her will. His emphasis on the policy on the environment is also noteworthy, insisting that littering was prohibited. His passion for the environment is palpable. “Do something for the environment. Plant a tree”, he advised. “Environment is very important. It defines who you are. Do not allow the environment to be abused”.

Speaking at the occasion, the Registrar, represented by the Deputy Registrar, Establishment, Mr. Emmanuel Okoro, advised the fresh students to steer clear of any action that constituted a breach of any of the known rules or regulations of the University. In a lecture entitled “The University Administrative Structure and Due Process”, the Registrar meticulously defined some terms such as “university”, “administrative” and “structure” before presenting the University organogram where the University staff positions were identified and their functions presented and expatiated to the fresh students.

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The lecture dwelt on the concept of due process as adherence to established rules, regulations and procedures as applied in the University system, with particular reference to DELSU. “Your studentship is a product of due process”, he told the students. “All academic activities leading to your studentship are products of due process. The University places its advertisements in JAMB brochure, which candidates respond to….”. She drew the attention of the students to the University motto of “knowledge, character and service” and informed them that the University authorities had zero tolerance for examination malpractice as those involved in it would be arraigned before the Students’ Disciplinary Committee and those found guilty were meted with appropriate sanctions, adding that under no conditions should anyone take the laws into their own hands. She assured the students that the University was never arbitrary in taking decisions against any student as due process must be followed.

Welcoming guests to the event, the Dean of Students, Professor Maxwell Iwegbue expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Egwunyenga for giving priority attention to students’ welfare as demonstrated by the student work scheme programme, renovation of students’ halls of residence, payment of school fees by instalments, provision of scholarship scheme for brilliant but indigent students, among other student-friendly actions.

Professor Iwegbue, an expert in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, explained to the fresh men and women the importance of the orientation programme which would initiate them into the world of scholars and scholarship. While congratulating them on their well deserved admission into the University, he urged them to gird their loins and encouraged them in these words: “As you embark on this journey, it is important to remember that you are not alone. We are here to support and guide you every step of the way”. Despite the present grim socio-economic conditions, the Dean urged the new students to learn all they could and be prepared “for careers that do not exist. We are thus preparing you for an unknown future. Yet, you must be relevant. The ingredients you require are curiosity, critical thinking and imagination. Some of these will not be found in the lecture halls. Your learning time table must run from 6-6; 24/7”.

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During the business sessions, well structured lectures in the different aspects of the student life, delivered by different experts and international scholars, were presented to the students to inform and strengthen them in the academic journey they had just commenced.