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By Madu Obi
Paul University, Awka, Anambra State, says it will expand its admission scope to accommodate foreign students as part of the innovation programmes to make the institution a world-class.
The proprietor of the university and Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, dropped the hint during the inauguration of members of the governing council of the university.
According to him, the university would henceforth extend the scope of its admission to students in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Togo, Benin Republic and Ghana.
Ibezim said the university would begin to run purely as a business venture, adding that he had put together a team that would pioneer the activities of the institution, with the aim of making it a world-class university.
The governing council has Dr Emeka Eze as Pro Chancellor, alongside 25 other members, including :House of Representatives member, Prof Lilian Orogbu, Prof Ben Osisioma, Prof. Carol Umeoji and Prof Rose Nwankwo as members.
In his acceptance speech, Eze said they have come together to build a university that will be an icon for the next generation.
He said: " We want to see Paul University that will create a better Nigeria and build human resources. Let's work with zeal, clean heart and forthrightness."
"This business will not be easy. It will require time and intellect. We will mobilize a huge amount of funding to be able to move the university forward, and I trust that we have men and women who can drive it."
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Obiora Nwosu observed that Paul University has been struggling to survive, adding however that succour has come with the Awka Diocese taking over of the university.
The VC said that under the management of the university that came on board in 2021, 19 old academic programmes been
re-accredited.
He said: "The last six programmes were visited by the National Universities Commission, NUC, in December, 2023. All the re-accreditation have always been very successful. By the grace of God, the last six will be successful too.
"There are salary arrears to be cleared. The details and actual amount will be tabled to the new council. The salary arrears need to be paid off".
The VC announced that the Council of Legal Education would soon be visiting the law programme of the university, stating that the law students of the university would not be allowed to go to Law School without the university scaling through Council of Legal Education accreditation.
He added that the Board of Health Information Management would equally be coming for professional accreditation, noting that all of them would require funding.
"There is acute shortage of classrooms, offices, lecture theatres, hostels and laboratories. If there are at least 1000 to 2000 JAMB candidates we can be mobilizing from the secondary schools in Awka Diocese every new academic year and Paul University will never lack fund", he stated.
Good progress for Paul University