With anticipation building toward its 50th Anniversary and 35th Combined Convocation Ceremony, the University of Port Harcourt spent the past week reinforcing its reputation as a hub of academic excellence, international engagement, and infrastructural advancement.
Details of the University’s ongoing activities were shared with StarReporters correspondents by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Owunari A. Georgewill, who outlined developments between Monday, 16th June and Friday, 20th June 2025, as part of the institution’s official report titled “This Week in Retrospect in the University of Port Harcourt.”
Preparations for the golden jubilee celebrations, scheduled from 21st to 27th July, have reached an advanced stage. At the heart of the week-long event will be the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on select Nigerians acknowledged for their contributions to national growth.
One of the week’s defining moments was the release of the final MBBS results in Medicine, Surgery, and Preventive & Social Medicine. With 106 candidates cleared for induction, the Vice-Chancellor commended the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Angela Frank-Briggs, and the academic staff for their diligence and consistency.
Beyond the medical milestones, international partnerships remained a cornerstone of the University’s outlook. A recent academic exchange in China, led by Professor Kalu Wosu, featured a session delivered in Chinese by Mr Chinemerem Ugoaru of the Department of Foreign Languages. The University expressed appreciation to the Chinese Consul General in Lagos for ongoing support.
In line with preparations for the forthcoming convocation, the Committee of Provosts and Deans met to evaluate readiness. Members were tasked with ensuring that degree results for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic sessions are concluded promptly to aid the Registry’s logistical planning.
The University also hosted Mr Darlington Peter Onojaefe of Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa, for strategic discussions on collaborative research and academic exchanges in the field of Management Sciences.
Meanwhile, at the Youth Friendly Centre, the University welcomed development partners Mr Joe and Mrs Heather Diioro from the United States. Facilitated by alumnus Emmanuel Osigwe, their visit explored fresh opportunities for student development beyond the academic setting.
In the Faculty of Law, the fifth edition of its Lecture Series spotlighted governance in Nigeria’s oil sector and the critical role of legal frameworks in energy transition. The keynote address was delivered by Dr Eddy Wifa, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen.
Elsewhere on campus, the 2025 Annual Conference of the Association of Women Librarians in Nigeria (AWLIN), Rivers State Chapter, was held. Chaired by Dr Millie Horsfall and featuring a keynote by the University Librarian, Professor Helen Emasealu, the event focused on innovation and inclusion in library science.
To steer coordination for the anniversary and convocation, Professor Georgewill formally inaugurated the Convocation Planning Committee, led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). He expressed confidence in the committee’s capacity to deliver a befitting event.
Recognition of the University’s leadership was also notable during the week. The Anatomical Students Society of Nigeria presented an Award of Honour to the University administration for its support to student development, while the Department of Electrical/Electronics Engineering conferred an Award of Appreciation. The Vice-Chancellor, in response, commended Engr. Mrs Nkolika Nwazor and the faculty for their academic leadership.
In infrastructure, the University announced the completion of the Fisheries Department building at the Faculty of Agriculture, with commissioning plans already underway. Also commissioned was the new Uniport Students Mall, an initiative led by SUG President Comrade Lawrence Harmony. The Vice-Chancellor praised the student body for its initiative and execution.
As part of internal reforms, the SERVICOM Unit, under Dr Austen Sado, held an interactive review session between University Management and departmental heads to assess service delivery across units. Professor Georgewill stressed the importance of internal feedback in driving systemic improvements.
Demonstrating his commitment to academic standards, the Vice-Chancellor paid unscheduled visits to lecture halls during the ongoing semester, expressing satisfaction with student engagement and faculty presence.
The week wrapped up with the Faculty of Law commencing its final-year LLB examinations. The Vice-Chancellor visited the examination halls, offering encouragement and commending the Dean and staff for their preparedness.
With less than a month to its golden jubilee, the University of Port Harcourt appears set to honour its past while forging ahead into a future of excellence and innovation.