By Ikemefuna Ikem
The Vice Chancellor of the State University of Medical and Applied Science (SUMAS) Igbo-Eno, Enugu State, Prof. James Ogbonna has urged parents whose children are students in the institution to monitor their progress and report any discomfiting trait to the university.
Ogbonna made the call in Nsukka on Saturday during the institution's 3rd matriculation ceremony in which 1,225 new students to their matriculation vow to study various courses in the university.
He said that parents and guidance of students in the institution should monitor their children and wards academic and behavioural progress and report to the University management anytime they observe any slow in their academic progress.
"We urge parents and guidance to monitor the progress of their children and feel free to call our attention if you notice a trait that is discomfiting because young people can be easily distracted by the freedom inherent in liberal university education.
"We are committed to ensuring that by the time your wards graduate from here, they will be disruptively innovative and confident graduates who will compete with other graduates from the oldest and best universityies in the world," he said.
While congratulating the new students, the VC reminded the new students that the university has zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractices and other social vices.
"SUMAS has zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractices and other criminal activities, make sure you do not get involved in any of those because the institution will not hesitate to sanction any defaulter.
"Bear in mind that while your family, including your parents, will enjoy the pride of having you graduate from the university, the degree and the training you will receive here will be your key to a better life," he said.
The VC expressed his gratitude to the State Governor, Peter Mbah, for his transformational leadership which he noted is already bearing unquantifiable fruits in all sectors of the state economy.
"The governor has given us all the support, we have no reason to not become the centre of excellence in medical, and applied science education envisioned by the founder of the university, and as enshrined in our vision and mission.
"With governor's support, phase one of the teaching hospital, as well as the mother and child hospital have been completed while an additional office block and an animal house have been added to our critical infrastructure.
"These are awaiting your official commissioning, with these, the teaching hospital will start fully operational as soon as a chief medical director is appointed, and our administrative and sundry support staff," he said.
The VC stated further that the university has improved from her initial total admission quota by the National University Commission (NUC) of 1,150 (50 per program) to 2,650 starting from the current 2024/2025 academic year.
Speaking, Gov. Mbah who is the Visitor of the university said his administration would continue to take education seriously noting that since the advent of his administration education had continued to have the highest budgetary allocation every year.
Mbah who was represented by the Commissioner of Health in the state, Prof. Emmanuel Obi noted that his administration would continue to give adequate support and funding to SUMAS in order to achieve the state target of making Enugu State the centre of medical tourism in West Africa.
"My administration will continue to do its best to position Enugu State globally and make it the centre of medical tourism in West Africa.
"I commend SUMAS VC and his management team on their dedication as well as the rapid growth of the university in terms of quality academics and increase in student admission quota," he said.
The governor congratulated the matriculants for being lucky to gain admission to the university and urged them to take their studies seriously in order to graduate with good results as well as justify the huge investment their parents have made in their education.
No comments