By Sam Otti
The Provost of Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State, Prof. Josephat Ogbuagu, has advised students in tertiary institutions across the country to invest their youthful energies in rewarding ventures. Warning that admission into tertiary institution should not be misconstrued as a licence to chase vanities, he called for good time management as a crucial factor in ensuring successful academic life.
He stated this while addressing students during the 28th/6th joint matriculation ceremony organized recently for NCE and degree students of the college. He explained that the college, the only Federal College of Education (Technical) in the entire south-east geopolitical zone, offers programmes in the National Certificate In Education (NCE), Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PDE), and degree programme in affiliation with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
The Provost added that tertiary institution was not a bed of roses but a race for excellence, which demands diligence, perseverance and focus. He advised students not to abuse the liberty they enjoy, faraway from the controlling influence of their parents.
“Be wise in your choice of friends. I urge you to form study groups and associate with those that would fertilise the seed of success in your studies. It has been tested and proven that hard work is the secret of success. Always remember that when you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail. Your success story starts now; every minute counts,” he said.
Ogbuagu assured the new students that the college management would not relent in their commitment to quality education. “Our mission to make the FCET Umunze the nation’s pride remains our creed,” he said. “We have made commendable efforts to provide spacious lecture halls, students’ hostels, ICT learning tools, micro-teaching laboratory, language laboratory, among others. I urge you to take advantage of these facilities to become outstanding students that would ultimately make your parents and the entire nation proud.”
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, congratulated the new students for securing admission into the institution while describing both UNIZIK and FCET Umunze as top flight institutions in the country. He said the affiliation of the college to the university affords students admitted under the affiliation structure the rare privilege of studying for a degree of the university in academic programmes domiciled in the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, but whose curricula and other requirements meet the high academic standard of the university.
The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Nkechi Esomonu, further advised the students to make the best use of facilities at their disposal in the college. He stressed that students were expected to meet at least 75% attendance to all lectures and practicals before they can qualify to write examinations. He further urged them to shun examination malpractice, certificate forgery and cultism and to work diligently for their success in the affiliate institution.
The Registrar, Sir Augustine Udensi, administered the matriculation vow on the new students, as they pledged to abide by the rules and regulations governing the college.