Prof. Ndowa Lale assumed office as the new Uniport VC.

By Jimitota Onoyume in PORT HARCOURT – Professor Ndowa Lale has assumed office as the new Vice Chancellor of the federal University of Port Harcourt, Rivers state. Speaking at an investiture ceremony in the institution as the 8th Vice Chancellor, Professor Lale called for collaboration among stakeholders of the university to make the place a first choice of academic pursuit. He further promised to work for the actualisation of the dreams of the founding fathers of the institution , stressing that he would promote a robust welfare scheme, quality scholarship and guarantee staff and students discipline in the school. Earlier, the university had conferred a Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science, (D.Sc) Honoris causa on Mr Herbert Wigwe, Chairman of Access bank, (UK) limited and board member Nigerian Mortgage Refinance company. In his tenure address the outgone Vice Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ajienka,said as the 7th Vice Chancellor, he set out to expand the frontiers of knowledge through creativity and innovation which brought forth rich intellectual harvest He recalled that he pioneered the establishment of the office of Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Development in the country, thus laying a firm foundation for quality scholarship. Continuing, he said the university rose to become among others the centre of excellence for oil field chemical research, adding that the university was the first Nigerian partner institution with the African Virtual University, AVU, a move he said led to the establishment of an international open, distance e-learning, ODeL centre. Ajienka who called for support for the growth of the institution from all her Alumni and friends said the university,which is 40 years have achieved a lot.