Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Prof Aloysius-Okolie, has urged 6,313 students offered admission into various disciplines in the Institution for the 2022/2023 academic session, to eschew examination malpractices, ‘sorting’ for grades, cultism and other social vices.
He congratulated the students on their successful admission into the Institution, and urged them to always pay the approved fees and register their courses within stipulated time to maintain their studentship.
Okolie made the call at the permanent site of the university, at Agbani, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, during the 42nd matriculation ceremony of the Institution for the 2022/23 academic session.
While urging the students to strive for scholarship, he announced that those who attain a Cumulative Grade Point Average, CGPA, of 4.50 in 100 level, enjoy scholarship from the university.
“Those who equally maintain a CGPA of 4.0 in subsequent years would study free of charge in the University,” the VC said.
He equally said that the university has designed a template to encourage and reward excellence in research, teaching and innovation.
He said: “With great pleasure and deep sense of responsibility, I, on behalf of the Council and Management, heartily welcome all of you gathered here for the 42nd Matriculation Ceremony of this great citadel of learning, the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, which indeed is the first University of Science and Technology in Nigeria.
“I thank the Almighty God for granting all of you (the freshmen, staff, students, parents, guardians and friends) journey mercies to be part of this formal ceremony marking the acceptance of our new students for the 2022/2023 academic session to engage in and pursue excellence in their different disciplines.
“Established since 1980 with mission to produce graduates that can favourably compete with their counterparts across the globe in areas of teaching, research, innovation and professional development, ESUT has made some historic landmarks which the current University Management is striving to surpass.
“The University does not condone any act of indiscipline, therefore, you must imbibe good virtues and eschew all forms of social vices, knowing that the freedom you have to exercise your rights stops where the rights of your neighbours begin.
“The University has zero tolerance for cultism and other anti-social behaviours and academic misconducts. Some of these condemnable vices include: Examination misconduct, admission racketeering, sorting for grades, sexual harassment, drug abuse, indecent dressing, fighting, willful damage to University properties etc.
“Any breach in any of these listed vices attract varying degrees of punishments/sanctions ranging from suspension, expulsion and prosecution.
“You are hereby advised to take your studies seriously to avoid bringing shame to your parents as well as bringing the hard-earned reputation of the University to disrepute.”
The Registrar of the university, Ambrose Ugwu, who led the matriculating students in declaration of loyalty to the Institution, urged the students to pursue their course of instruction in the University and abide by the rules and regulations.
In the same vein, the President of the Students’ Union Government, ESUT, Donatus Okolieuwa, enjoined the new students to avoid every distraction which could thwart their chances of attaining academic excellence in the University. Some of the matriculating students who spoke to journalists, including Chekwubechi Arinze, of Anatomy Department, and Deborah Nwabuisiaku, of the Department of Geology and Mining expressed joy over their admission and pledged to be diligent in their studies and to uphold the values of the University.
