The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted authorization to the Imo State government to initiate operations at the newly established University of Innovation, Science, and Technology.
The initiative aims to promote knowledge acquisition and facilitate youth empowerment within the region.
The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, officially presented the operational licence and certificate of recognition to the State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, in Abuja.
The new institution is recognized as the 70th state university and the 301st university in Nigeria, reflecting a commitment to expanding access to tertiary education across the nation.
The University located in Omuma in Oru East local government area of Imo State is the fourth University owned by the state.
Prior to the recent expansion, Imo State was home to three state universities, two federal universities, and two private institutions, resulting in a total of seven universities. With the new addition, the total number of universities now stands at eight.
Prof Ribadu described the establishment of the institution as a bold and strategic step towards empowering the youth, developing the workforce, and promoting knowledge-driven growth across the State.
“As we celebrate this achievement, I call on all stakeholders, including government officials, university administrators, staff and students, to work together to ensure that the institution flourishes and upholds the highest standards of academic integrity, research, and good governance.”
He said as a requisite, the commission will be visiting the University soon for resources verification to assess human, infrastructure development and the governance structure put in place.
“We need to act fast for the University to take off because of the admission process that ends in November.
“It is indeed, our shared responsibility to ensure that this university becomes not just another addition to the list of universities, but a true centre of learning, character building, and societal transformation. The NUC will continue to provide the necessary guidance and support and ensure that the university attains its full potential.”
He said the commission expects the new University to adhere strictly to the guidelines set for quality assurance, curriculum development, and overall management of academic programmes.
“I do not doubt that this university will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education and development in Nigeria”, he said.
The NUC boss said that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), among others have been informed so that the new University could be given due attention.
The Imo state governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma said the new University was birthed considering the interest of young men and women who desire to be properly educated so that at the end they can contribute to the growth, economy and polity of the state and indeed Nigeria as a whole.
He said it was designed to mold character, acquisition of digital skills as well as knowledge in science and technology.
“So, this recognition today is, for me, prayer answered, that our young men and women who have been struggling hard to have access to admission into a commendable and reputable university or tertiary institution has also won this prize”, he said .
According to him, the new University in partnership with the Imo Digital City has gone into a mentoring agreement with the University of Berkeley, California to enable youth graduate with skills and create jobs.
“The whole idea is to broaden the digital curriculum to create startups, young entrepreneurs who will not only go to school to be employed, but who will graduate and as they graduate, they are coming up to also create jobs and become employers of labor. So it is also a business school”, he said.
He acknowledged that funds are limited but there was the need to prioritize and create avenues to engage the youth through education to take their attention away from social vices.
-VON
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