The Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe has challenged the post graduate students to stay on course by utilizing their study time properly and prudently manage available resources, in order to add value to their individual lives and to the country at large. The Vice-Chancellor gave the advice at the maiden Orientation Programme of the Postgraduate School held yesterday at Senator Anyim Pius Anyim Auditorium of the University.
Prof. Iwe who was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Udo Herbert advised the students to be committed in their studies by engaging their supervisors with quality work and useful discussions in order to finish well and become invaluable assets in the contemporary competitive market.
In his remarks, the Dean, Postgraduate School, Engr. Prof. Ogbonnaya .I. Okoro said the orientation programme is an enlightenment effort geared towards inculcating in fresh postgraduate students the necessary and relevant procedures, rules and regulations as well as motivate them into high level productivity that emphasizes efficiency, time management, speedy graduation and less human mistakes due to lack of information. He maintained that MOUAU Postgraduate programmes are highly subscribed due to the quality of research, dedicated lecturers/supervisors, the eco-system friendly environment and cordial relationship that exist between the students and the lecturers. He extoled the virtues of the Vice-Chancellor who he said frowns seriously at extortion, sexual harassment, examination malpractice, intimidation, cultism and other social vices that are inimical to the academic well-being of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. He equally used the exercise to give an overview of the postgraduate school, its history, functions, rules and regulations.
A guest lecturer, Professor Sylvester N. Ibe of Department of Animal Breeding and Physiology in his paper titled, ‘Issues of Mentorship in Postgraduate Studies: A Case Of Supervisor-Student Relationship’, stated that the relationship between supervisor and student is a complex one that needs mutual commitment so as to provide stability, security, trust, opportunity for intellectual growth and support towards realization of the ultimate goal of scholarship.
Similarly, in a lecture titled, ‘The Student, Postgraduate Programme, Research And The System’, the Dean, College of Animal Science and Animal Production, Prof. K. U. Amaefule pointed out to the students that, the programme they have embarked upon is an intensive intellectual engagement that needs mastery of basic and decisive academic investigation in order to churn out accurate, reliable, timely and current research findings.
In his presentation, Dr. Damian Ndubuisi Njoku, Assistant Director/Co-ordinator of Cassava Programme, National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike represented by Dr. Joy Adiele exposed the students to a broader understanding of the research processes and tools required for effective researches. According to him, the research support services inevitable to the students include library resources and services, grant proposal writing and funding opportunities, networking and collaborations amongst others. He encouraged them to take advantage of all available research resources to improve their academic attainments.
The Deputy Dean of the Post Graduate School, Rev. Cannon Dr. K. C. Igwe, the MOUAU Servicom focal officer, Ven. Ikenna Ikpemo and the Deputy Registrar/Secretary of the PG School, Mrs. Ann Ojei addressed the students in various capacities relating to conflict resolution, complaints and privileges.
The exercise was attended by some principal officers of the University, Deans and Deputy Deans of various colleges, Directors of some units, Heads of Departments, the president of the Postgraduate Students’ Association and the students.
