University of PortHarcourt Nigeria CURRICULUM VITAE The University of Port Harcourt was established in 1975 as a College of the University of Lagos, the University of Port Harcourt is one of the avant-garde tertiary institutions with a mandate to empower the Niger Delta region and the country academically. The University gained full autonomous status in 1977 on the premises of an emergent Trade School outside Choba Community as its temporary site, close to its future permanent Site-the University park. Unique UNIPORT as the Institution is popularly known by its many graduates was accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC), on a Campus status with academic, residential, social and cultural facilities to support a growing Community of Scholars. A five-star Teaching Hospital which has since been completed now serves as a ‘laboratory’’ for the University’s top-rated College of Health Sciences. The University which offers the best in conventional liberal,, equal-opportunity education in the arts, engineering, social sciences and science, is located about 15 kilometres, northwest of the central business district of Port Harcourt City, Nigeria’s second largest seaport and the hub of petroleum and Gas Industry. The University is uniquely located in-between the southern-most part of the West African tropical rain forest, and the northern fringe of wetlands/swamps, rivers and mangrove forests that make the Niger Delta a special tourist attraction. The University is surrounded by rural agrarian and artisan communities that have been positively impacted by its presence in the area. The University has been lucky to have very visionary and dynamic Vice-Chancellors since its inception, each of whom took the Institution to a higher level of infrastructural and academic development. The Federal Government has, so far, appointed seven (7) substantive Vice-chancellors since the inception of the University in 1975 as follows: 1. Professor Donald Ekong (late) 1975-82 2. Professor Sylvanus J.S. Cookey 1982-88 3. Professor Kelsey A. Harrison 1989-1991 4. Professor Theo Vincent 1996-2000 5. Professor Nimi D. Briggs 2000-2005 6. Professor Don M. Baridam 2005-2010 7. Professor Joseph A. Ajienka 2010- UNIQUE UNIPORT welcomes students and visitors to the bustling city of Port Harcourt, the capital of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry and indeed the Niger Delta Region. Alumni of the University of Port Harcourt are extremely proud of their beloved Alma Mater that has produced the serving President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, in addition to Governors, such as Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Chief Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State; legislators, Clergymen, Academics, Captains of Industry and great athletes. UNIQUE UNIPORT has a long list of achievement to her credit and is striving harder to become the first choice destination for the best brains in the finest academic tradition. We are proud of our 34 year –old record in quality research, teaching and community service. Our 50,000 plus Alumni who share a common bond on the template of their Alma Mater are at the pinnacle of their careers in and outside Nigeria, and also engage in valuable service roles in society. There are many great Universities in Nigeria; but there is only one UNIQUE University PROMOTING WORKPLACE DIVERSITY Our respect for workplace diversity means that people of every background are welcome to work and study in the University on the basis of equality and mutual respect. FACT SHEET • 66 Academic Departments • 11 Faculties • Over 12 Research Institutes and College of Continuing Education • Widely acknowledge in the Sciences, Medicine, Social Science, Management Sciences, Humanities and Engineering • Undergraduate: Bachelor’s Degree in the Arts, Science, Health Sciences, Engineering, Education, Social Science and Management • Graduate programmes: Master’s Degree in the Arts, Science, Engineering, Postgraduate Diploma and Doctorate Degree programmes. • Over 26,000 students from diverse backgrounds • Over 2,000 full-time Faculty members • Over 150 student clubs • 52,000 Alumni around the world. • UNIQUE UNIPORT education combines theory and hands-on approach to learning. • Emphasis is on training ‘industry-ready’ graduates. • Research and teaching are on the basis of self-discovery • Critical thinking/problem solving approach to learning. CAN-DO SPIRIT The mandate of the University is to educate persons who are ‘intellectually well equipped to make effective contributions to national development, self-reliance and national unity’. CRITICAL THINKING In line with our Motto: Enlightenment for Self-Reliance, our students acquire requisite skills through a voyage of self-discovery in an unhindered learning environment that emphasizes critical thinking and that ‘can-do’ spirit that gives them proper grounding in conceptual knowledge that is essential for the acquisition of life-long skills which they take to the larger society. Students who excel in their academic work are placed on the Dean’s list and receive Scholarship to continue their studies. CONTINUING EDUCATION As part of our active service role in the community, we have been able to forge a symbiotic relationship between Town and Gown through our College of Continuing Education (CCE), which provides quality non-residential degree programmes to many citizens who would never have had access to University education Undergraduates enrol on part-Time basis and are required to attain a minimum of 120 Credit Units to qualify for degree award in any chosen specialization. Late Professor Ekeke of the Department of Biochemistry discovered and patented CIKLAVIT, a dietary supplement for the management of Sickle Cell Anaemia. The world Health Organization (WHO) subsequently endorsed the wonder drug that has brought relief to sufferers of the deadly ailment. Advanced research in Malaria, Phytomedicine and Natural product Chemistry are ongoing in both Faculty of Science and College of Health Sciences, among many others. Our research focus is on creativity, innovation, sustainable development, international collaborations/linkages, strategic public-private partnerships and cooperation with professional bodies, alumni and other stakeholders to build a world-class Entrepreneurial University. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Information Technology is incorporated into every aspect of learning in this University to afford students an opportunity to access web-based knowledge that enhances research at all levels. Students are required to take specific General Studies Courses in Information Technology which expose them to the requisite skills in software packages that enable them to solve problems in their areas of specialization. LIBRARY SERVICES Library is the life-wire of any University and the University Library which rises to three floors, houses a valuable collection of 940,713 volumes, 3,996 foreign and 5,920 local journal titles on diverse topics, as well as an impressive collection of electronic texts that serve student needs at every time of the day. Information is also available on a variety of formats. The open stack faculty in the University Library enables over 3,000 users to gain simultaneous access to information at short notice. ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is Visitor to the University. The current President, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is a proud pioneer Alumnus. Before Universities gained academic autonomy, the President appoints the Vice-Chancellor of the University. Today, the President oversees Federal Universities through the Federal Minister of Education and the National Universities Commission responsible for quality control. The operational structure of the University is based on an impressive Organogram that begins with the chancellor, who is a First Class traditional ruler appointed by the Federal Government. The Pro-chancellor is Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, he or she is appointed by Government to direct the broad policy thrust of the University. The Pro-Chancellor is appointed on the basis of clearly demonstrated leadership qualities that contribute to the growth and reputation of the University, he or she presides over periodic meetings of Council that comprises eminent external members appointed by Government and internal members who are elected from Senate, Congregation and Convocation. Management, headed by the Vice-Chancellor, comprises two Deputy Vice-Chancellors, (in-charge of Administration, Academic), Registrar and other principal Officers, and critical schedule officers, also assist the Chief Executive in the day-to-day affairs of the Institution. INSTITUTE OF PETROLEUM STUDIES The famous Institute of Petroleum Studies which awards a joint Master of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering and Project development in concert with the lFP School, Paris, France, amongst others, is the first of its kind in West Africa. The Institute now runs Postgraduate Diploma programmes in sustainable Development and a Doctoral Degree course in Petroleum Engineering. Students and Lecturers of IPS dominate the annual Research Fairs organized by the Commission (NUC) and Society of Petroleum Engineers-sponsored NAICE Fairs. Other corporate organizations and individuals continue to sponsor programmes in the Institute. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR GRADUATES Our graduates are equipped with requisite skills and broad knowledge in, at least, one branch of knowledge to compete favourably with their peers anywhere in the world. The total exposure we give to our graduates prepares them for lucrative careers in the industry, public service and private employment. Our graduates are high flyers in diverse fields and trained to excel in virtually any profession they try their hands on. SPORTING ACTIVITIES With the state-of-the- art sporting facilities at our disposal, athletes representing the University have so far won the NUGA Games for the fourth consecutive time, while also twice taking first position at the West African University Games (WAUG).