From Chidi Nnadi, Owerri
Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Prof Francis Eze, said the institution has gained full accreditation for its 11 programmes and interim for two others from the National University Commission (NUC).
The 11 programmes are Project Management Technology, Transport Management, Agric Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Food Science Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology and Science Laboratory Technology with Architecture and Building getting interim accreditation.
The vice chancellor who stated this during the 24th General Assembly of the university organised to mark his one year in office on Monday noted that Architecture and Building have also had their professional bodies conduct accreditation exercises in the university even as they are hopeful of positive results from them.
“We are committed to ensuring that all our programmes receive full accreditation both from professional associations and the National Universities Commission in subsequent accreditation exercises,” he said.
Prof Eze who was happy over the achievements recorded in the university in the last one year, said the institution had greatly moved forward despite the harsh economic recession in the country.
He, however, lamented that their promise to truly develop the university has been greatly hampered by financial constraints occasioned by recession in the country and global economy.
He, therefore, said FUTO has a definite mission to operate practical and self-oriented programmes and trainings geared towards transforming the nation’s economy from consumer-oriented to production-oriented with a sound technological based.
“This is the goal that we strive to achieve through the performance of our various duties. In the last one year, with your support, we consciously ensured that FUTO remains a renowned and enviable brand name.
“The latest Webometric ranking still placed FUTO as one of the 10 best universities in the country, “ he told the members of the Governing Council, principal officers and others who attended the assembly.
The vice chancellor also said at a time most federal institutions have resorted to paying 70 per cent of salary of staffers, “the university management has, under extreme financial constraints continued to ensure full payment of staff salaries despite the persistent shortfalls in personnel cost releases.”
He also announced that in the “period under review, six professors, eight readers, 25 senior lecturers, 27 lecturers 1, 20 lecturer 11, four senior librarians and two librarian 1, have been promoted.”
He also promised to continue to make the welfare of students of the university top priority, appealing to the members of staff of the institution to stop extorting money from them.
“The Friday February 17, 2017 violent demonstration on campus was partly caused by collection of illegal fees by some staff members. The university Senate has approved fees schedules which departmental boards are expected to adhere strictly and stop the unnecessary extortion.
“The issue of course registration with outrageous amount and selling of textbooks are not allowed in the university and staff that indulge in such acts are admonished to desist from same forthwith. “