IAUE Senate Approves Leadership, Language Centres at Ignatius Ajuru University

The Senate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Port Harcourt, has approved the establishment of a University Leadership Assessment Centre and a Centre for Languages, Digital Humanities and Intercultural Studies as part of efforts to strengthen leadership development, language education, research and innovation.

The approvals were granted during the Senate meeting held on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

The University Leadership Assessment Centre, proposed by Professor Veronica Okogbaa of the Department of Educational Management, is expected to:

• Identify and develop high-potential leaders and talents.
• Evaluate participants using multidimensional assessment methods rather than subjective perceptions.
• Organise leadership training programmes.
• Generate revenue through its services.
• Support succession planning initiatives.

Senate also approved the establishment of the Centre for Languages, Digital Humanities and Intercultural Studies, proposed by the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ibiere Ken-Maduako.

The centre will comprise the following seven units:

• Language Teaching Unit.
• Translation and Interpretation Unit.
• Indigenous Languages Documentation Unit.
• Digital Humanities Laboratory.
• Artificial Intelligence and Language Teaching Unit.
• Professional Certification Unit.
• Research and Publication Unit.

Under the Language Teaching Unit, the centre will offer instruction in:

• French.
• Spanish.
• Arabic.
• Portuguese.
• German.
• Hausa.
• Igbo.
• Yoruba.
• Indigenous languages of Rivers State.

According to Professor Ken-Maduako, the centre will offer:

• Certificate programmes in language proficiency for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners.
• Diploma programmes.
• Translation and interpretation courses.
• Digital Humanities certification programmes.
• Artificial Intelligence and language technology workshops.
• Online and hybrid learning programmes.
• Weekend and evening public classes.
• Indigenous languages documentation training.
• Business and professional communication courses.

She noted that the centre is expected to:

• Increase the university's national and international visibility.
• Generate sustainable internally generated revenue.
• Create opportunities for grants and donor-funded projects.
• Enhance interdisciplinary research.
• Promote cultural preservation and community engagement.
• Strengthen the university's profile in innovation and digital transformation.
• Attract research collaborations and international partnerships.
• Improve graduate employability and digital competence.

The Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Senate, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, encouraged the promoters of the centres to mobilise resources for their take-off and seek endowments for academic chairs. He stated that directors would be appointed for the self-sponsored centres and reaffirmed the administration's commitment to supporting initiatives that align with the university's academic mandate.

Earlier, Professor Samuel Otamiri commended Professor Veronica Okogbaa for proposing the Leadership Assessment Centre, describing it as a robust initiative capable of attracting significant patronage.

In another development, the Senate welcomed a proposal by Professor Priye Iyalla-Amadi for the introduction of valedictory Senate sessions in honour of retiring professors.

The Senate also approved postgraduate results presented by the Dean of the Postgraduate School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, as well as results submitted by the Director of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), Professor Goddey Wilson, and the Graduate School of Business, represented by Dr. Florence Ironawusi.