‘New Rivers State University Of Science And Technology Underway’ – Gov. Amaechi

From left: Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence Nemi, Vice-Chancellor of RUST, Professor Barineme Beke Fakae, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon.  Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi , Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, RUST, Hon. Justice Adolphus Karibi Whyte, JSC (Rtd), Registrar RUST Mrs. Daba Constance Odimabo

Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has made clear his intentions to construct a new Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) at the Greater Port Harcourt City in May this year.

The governor made this open on Saturday, 27th April, during the 25th Convocation Ceremony of the University in Port Harcourt.

“We have finished with the due process and we will start building the infrastructures and various faculties of the University.  The construction of the new RSUST will start soon,” Amaechi said.

In a bid to avoid clash with Academic Staff Student Union (ASSU), Amaechi said he will meet with the union before embarking on the amendment of the law setting up the new Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

“I spoke with the Vice Chancellor and he had assured me that when we meet, we will talk on how the cabinet will review the issue of autonomy, since they say it was established by law, we shall obey the law,” he said.

He encouraged the authorities of the school to employ more lecturers (faculty members), adding that his administration is ready to pay all remuneration.

He however, pointed out the need for regular assessment and re-examination of lecturers to confirm their competence in service delivery. He also urged lecturers to desist from combining lecturing work with business as it most often affects the academic productivity of such lecturer.

“You cannot be a lecturer and also a businessman.  The business of lecturing is the business of studying and there is no time any lecturer will stop studying.  I think that the university must vote funds for research and training.  It is not enough that we are building hostels, offices and classrooms without promoting training,” he emphasised.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the 10th Governing Council of the University, Hon. Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, said the 25^th Convocation Ceremony represents  the Silver Jubilee Convocation of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology and congratulated the Graduands of the 2011/2012 academic session on their remarkable achievements for the conferment of Bachelors and higher Degrees, Awards of Post Graduate Diplomas and the award of prices in recognition of outstanding performances and excellence, urging them to be good ambassadors of the university.

He expressed worry that by the provision of the law setting up the university, the Council had no control over the employment and payment of staff of the university, urging the Amaechi-led administration to amend the law

Justice Karibi-Whyte further said, the 11th Governing Council is on course to deliver its mandate to transform the university and bring it to world class standard, adding that the Council is working tirelessly to ensure it establishes the foundations for an enduring legacy in the university with purview of the applicable laws.

“I would like to express the appreciation of the Council to His Excellency for the significant infrastructural development in the university in the last four years.  In terms of facilities and structures, the university has done very well since the administration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the incumbent Governor of Rivers State.  Since the last convocation in April 2012, many more projects, classroom blocks and other facilities have been executed and put into use,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Barineme Beke Fakae, on is part said a total of 5,453 graduands have been awarded first degrees, post graduate diplomas, Masters and Doctorate degrees.

He urged the graduands to see their convocation as the beginning of a turning point in their personal lives, for their parents and a moment of pride for their state and country.

Professor Fakae who recalled how the university suffered for unwarranted image battering by some unpatriotic elements said the university has taken a resolve that strike is no more an option in any struggle for better service conditions as it has negative impact on the future.