Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has formally inaugurated a seven-member visitation panel to the Abia State University Uturu headed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief J. U. K. Igwe.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Governor said the setting up of the panel became expedient following the expiration of the outgone administration of the University headed by Prof Uche Ikonne.
The Governor said the visitation panel is meant to determine areas that need attention.
He gave the terms of reference of the panel to include the review of activities of the University from 2011 to 2020, to review the academic programs with a view to ascertaining their relevance and whether or not they are current and in line with the 21st-century demands in education.
The Governor also charged the panel to review the guidelines on admission and its implementation as well as review the financial transactions for the period 2011- 2020.
The panel is also to look into the adequacy of staff, including academics and otherwise and consider the state of infrastructural facilities in the institution.
Other terms of reference of the panel include to review the administrative policies in terms of staff welfare and promotions, consider staff development in terms of training and research and to review quality and qualification of academic staff, whether it meets the NUC requirements and to make necessary recommendations on any other matter incidental thereto or considered relevant to the growth of the institution.
The Governor who said that highly respected Abians were selected to serve on the panel, congratulated the out-gone administration led by Prof Uche Ikonne who he said took the University from obscurity to number 26 in the ranking of Nigerian universities and the 2nd best State University.
He noted that the university has run five uninterrupted academic sessions but for COVID-19 and also won many awards in some faculties, notably in law and medicine.
He charged the new Vice-Chancellor, Professor O M Ogbulu, who was part of the delegation, to further push the University higher in excellence.
Responding on behalf of the other members, the Chairman of the visitation panel, Chief J. U. K. Igwe, SAN, recalled that education occupies a special place in the heart of the Governor as his vision is to turn the Abia State University Uturu to a world-class university.
He assured that they would make actionable recommendations to ensure consistency in the vision of the Governor.
Other members of the Committee include Hon. Jude Udeachara, Sir Sam Onukwuo, Dame Victoria Akanwa, HRH Eze love Wogu, Dr. Nathaniel Iheanacho, mni.
Mr Okechukwu Ihedioha will serve as the Secretary of the Panel.
