PIONEER DEAN, FACULTY OF SCIENCE BOWS OUT
-Drums up support for New Dean
It was an end to a fruitful era, as the Faculty of Science, Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, on Monday, 29th August, 2016, organized an extraordinary and valedictory meeting for the pioneer Dean of the Faculty at the Physics Laboratory.
The meeting was to celebrate the numerous achievements of Prof. Michael U. Onuu as the pioneer Dean of the Faculty, and also to usher in the tenure of Prof. F.X.O Ugodulunwa as the new Dean, with effect from September 1st, 2016.
Pioneer Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. M.U. Onuu addressing members of staff during the valedictory meeting
In his valedictory remarks, Prof. Michael U. Onuu thanked the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, the Faculty Board, Heads of Department and other members of staff for their unflinching support during his tenure which he said started on August 18th, 2013.
He noted: “Looking back, I have no single regret because there are numerous achievements to reckon with during my tenure.” And specifically praised the Vice-Chancellor for his vision and support to the Faculty which made them excel in various projects they had embarked on to make the Faculty of Science meet international academic best practices.
VC Rep. and DVC, Prof. S.O Elom during the event
Prof. Onnu further charged the staff to extend the same hands of fellowship and support to the new Dean, Prof. Ugodulunwa to enable him keep up with not just the noble goals of the Faculty but also the vision of the University as a world class institution of learning. He also enjoined them to always remember their slogan of, “Do it as unto the Lord” and added that, ‘responsibility is service and service is responsibility’.
Recounting his landmark achievements, Prof. Onuu mentioned the various committees he inaugurated to function in various capacities, capacity building of staff and supporting twenty-five (25) academic lecturers from the Faculty to study overseas. The Dean noted that his tenure produced Memoranda of Understanding and linkages with foreign universities and organizations. Such institutions include: Kagoshima University in Japan; Rice University in United States of America and the National Space Research Development Agency which he disclosed was about to build Remote Sensing Center in the University.
New Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. F.X.O Ugodulunwa during the event
He also used the occasion to request the Vice-Chancellor’s intervention in demerging some departments into different academic programmes like Biology/microbiology/Biotechnology and Chemistry//Biochemistry/Molecular Biology in the faculty to make the students focused on their chosen disciplines, and thus make the University a world class institution.
A cross section of staff during the meeting
The Vice- Chancellor who was represented in the event by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Elom commended Prof. Onuu for his doggedness and resilience in driving the wheel of the faculty to enviable height. The Vice Chancellor further admonished the staff to maintain the peace in their relationship with their new Dean, as this will enhance their work capacity, adding that the Vice Chancellor had vowed to pursue excellence and integrity in order to set the University on the part of greatness.
The highpoint of the meeting was the release of the Faculty’s maiden Newsletter to the public.
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