AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE VICE CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR I. U. KALU AT THE 10TH MATRICULATION CEREMONY OF EVANGEL UNIVERSITY HELD ON MAY 28TH , 2022 AT THE EVANGEL UNIVERSITY, AKAEZE, TAKE-OFF CAMPUS OKPOTO
The Pro- Chancellor
Members of the Governing Council
Principal Officers of the University
Deans
Directors & Heads of Department
Members of Staff
Matriculating Students
Parents & Guardians
Highly Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press
Ladies and Gentlemen
Introduction
It is with great pleasure that I welcome this gathering of our fresh students, their guardians and sponsors, our highly distinguished guests and the Evangel University Community to our 10th Matriculation Ceremony. Matriculation marks the formal admission of a student to membership of the University and every candidate for matriculation must subscribe to the Statute and Ordinance of the University. In keeping with our avowed tradition and mission to produce the total man, our students are required to dress formally in accordance with Departmental dress codes gowns and caps without hoods to this ceremony.
Admissions
Admissions for the 2021/2022 Academic Session was delayed in our University because of the extended admission period by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). JAMB portals for admissions was not opened in time because of the strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Many candidates for admissions are unaware of the normal running of academic programmes in private universities. Furthermore, JAMB drastically reduced our departmental quotas for admission in our Health Science Courses. Despite having National Universities Commission (NUC) Full accreditation in Nursing Science for example, our quota is pegged at fifty (50) students. In the final analysis, the confusion has resulted to a sharp drop in our student admissions for the current Session. As a result, we shall today be matriculating only one hundred and ninety (196) students as against three hundred and thirteen (313) for the last Session.
The University and its Core Values
A fresh student is deemed to be matriculated from the beginning of the academic year in which a completed Registration Form and satisfactory evidence of his or her qualification to matriculate is known by the University. Our University therefore, organized an Orientation Programme with the aim of giving an overview of our University and support services available, both at the Course, Department, College and University levels, including Library opening hours and borrowing regulations. The learning and working environment, course registration, information on the academic and ethical conventions, and requirements of the University Academic Regulations, and specific safety and health regulations were presented to the students.
All courses offered in Evangel University are accredited by the NUC. The result of the 2021 NUC Accreditation Visit of our newly matured Industrial Chemistry, Biotechnology, Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Radiography and Radiation Science, and Physiotherapy programmes were accredited while Mathematics, Mass Communication which were revisited were also granted Full Accreditation. We are focused in the realization of the vision of the founding fathers of the University; which is “to give total education to the total man and so produce graduates who shall be equipped and motivated to be Leaders and role models in Nigeria’s public and private sectors and so be instrumental and deeply involved in bringing about the much needed development in Nigeria with the fear of God”.
Please permit me to restate that our tuition fees are the least among Private Universities in Nigeria. Our Proprietor, Assemblies of God Nigeria, subsidizes fees of students in this University. Internet access is available at no extra cost to all registered students as well as staff. Lecture schedules are strictly followed. Students are accordingly counselled to take advantage of these to work very hard to justify the investment made on them by their sponsors and the Proprietor.
Security and Safety
Security and safety are national problems in Nigeria these days and the University administration takes them very seriously. Students are warned to avoid frequent trips out of the Campus except when it is unavoidable. Arrangements are being made to provide Zebra Crossing Sign at the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway Junction that leads to the University in order to regulate the speed of vehicles at the Junction. Students are warned to be very cautious while crossing the road at that point. Additionally, students and members of the University Community are warned not to stop there when it is dark as many have been robbed at that point when it is dark. Students are advised to adhere to the Security Tips issued by the Security Department of the University.
Rules and Regulations
We are a highly disciplined community. All University Rules and Regulations MUST be complied with. Chapel attendance is mandatory to give the student the moral and spiritual impact that add to the intellectual/academic bent for the moulding of “The Total Man”. All freshmen must be conversant with the Regulations guiding their studentship. We do not make pretenses about our strict observance of no smoking, no alcoholic beverage consumption, sexual immorality, examination misconduct, cultism and fighting, to name but a few.
Cooking in the hostel is highly prohibited. Provisions have been made by the Division of Students Affairs for electric appliances that students may use for preparation of beverages. Additionally, Senate has banned possession of razor blades, table fork, jack knives and sharp objects that may inflict serious injury on any person. Contravention of dress codes attract punishments.
Finally, I want to once again welcome our freshmen and women to our University where the youths are nurtured to become Total Men that lead the world forward and assure them that our highly committed staff and I are poised to make their experience at Evangel University a joyful one. I pray for journey mercies for our parents, guardians and our highly distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen who graced the occasion with their presence.
God bless you.
Professor I U Kalu
Vice Chancellor
18/5/2022