FUNAI Matriculates Over 2,000 Students 2018

The Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State has matriculated over 2, 000 students for the 2017/2018 academic session.

In a matriculation ceremony held recently to usher in the freshmen into the seven faculties and college of medicine of the university, the Vice-chancellor, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba noted that the students were admitted based on their successes in O’ Level examinations, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations, as well as the assessment/Post-UTME screening exercise, urging them not to joke with the rare opportunity given to them by the University.

He stressed that out of more than 12,000 applicants who made the University their first choice institution in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination only over 2,000 were admitted to study in the University after going through its Post-UTME test and meeting the other requisite admission criteria.

The Vice-chancellor further enjoined the students to work hard in their studies by attending lectures, doing their assignments and participating actively in all their academic activities to avoid the consequences of academic failure.

“It is painful to note that of the 1,750 students that we admitted in the 2016/17 session, about 232 were asked to withdraw and another 218 sent home for a year at the end of the session for reasons of poor academic performance”, he stated.

He continued: “We expect this set to be different. To be different, you have to focus on the main purpose for your coming to FUNAI.

You are here simply to study. Every other thing is secondary. Work hard and behave well, and you will be successful. In the university you must pass every course you register. This is not a secondary school where you may fail a subject and still move on.

I reiterate, you must pass every course you register. You must also attend lectures as attendance to lectures is a prerequisite to sit for examinations.”

Charging the students to shun social vices, the vice-chancellor maintained that the university has zero tolerance to cultism, examination malpractices, sorting, $eCual harassment, indecent dressing, stealing and other unwholesome behaviours, warning that culprits would be fished out and sent home.

He also informed them that the foundation of the university was built on excellence and integrity, adding that lecturers are not allowed to sell hand-outs while recommended books were only to be purchased in the university bookshop. He equally assured them of a serene and conducive learning environment as the challenges faced by their predecessors have been arrested.

For their contribution to the infrastructural development of the university so far, the vice-chancellor appreciated the role of FUNAI-Parents Forum in providing lecture chairs, housing for junior staff, and fencing of the university environment to ensure security of lives and property on campus, and called on other investors to partner the university in other rewarding areas.

In his words: “We must build a university campus that is secure and inspires us to excel. That is why you must appreciate the little sacrifice by the FUNAI-PARENTS FORUM in form of security contributions for what it is; seeds being sowed for a better future. If we do not develop our own, who will do that for us? I therefore charge you to imbibe the spirit of FUNAI.”

One of the defining feature of this year’s matriculation ceremony, just like last year, was that the event was decentralized and faculty-based, allowing each faculty to conduct their respective ceremony.

VC, Prof Chinedum Nwajiuba and Dean,Faculty of Education,Dr Chinyere Nwajiuba in a group picture with some matriculating students of the faculty