Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie has disclosed plans to upgrade the University Pre-Science Centre, located at Mbaukwu community into a mini-campus structure with attendant facilities upgrade and student enrolment.
The Vice Chancellor made the disclosure during a courtesy call to the traditional ruler of Mbaukwu, Awka South LGA, Igwe Peter Anugwu in his palace yesterday.
Prof. Anyaehie also disclosed that new intakes for the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) will also commence their programme at the Mbaukwu study centre in September this year thereby swelling the number of students in the centre with over 2000 numbers.
He described Mbaukwu as great community with a great Traditional Ruler noting that works to that effect had already commenced in the study centre .
The Vice Chancellor called for greater partnership and collaboration between the university and members of the community in the areas of hostel development, security among other services noting that with the latest developments in place, Mbaukwu community will be placed in digital world map as an educational centre and mini campus of the great Nnamid Azikiwe University.
Responding, the traditional ruler, Igwe Peter Anugwu who was highly elated on the good news expressed serious sentiments of gratitude over the development.
Literarily speaking, he described seeing the Mbaukwu campus developed to the best global standard as the greatest wish of his lifetime which he had eagerly waited for having seen it all in spending 51 years on the throne and still counting.
He prayed against every evil forces that may thwart such lofty plan of action assuring that the community remains ever ready to preserve the legacies and the prospects of the institution domiciled in Mbaukwu.
The traditional ruler also commended the vice chancellor for his administrative foresight and vision for the university.
Expressing the gratitude of the Mbaukwu community on the development, an indigene, Austin Odum, a Professor of Accounting noted that it has been the dream of any Mbaukwu person to see the Pre-Science centre domiciled in their community grow and upgraded to a campus structure.
He recalled the growth trajectory of the centre which he disclosed rose up to 3000 students at a time but later declined to hundreds expressing hope that with the determination of the management to upgrade the centre, there is hope that the centre will bloom again.
He reassured the university delegation of the maximum cooperation and support of the community affirming that the land offered to the University for the Centre remains free of any encumbrances or dispute of sort as the community members are united in their support to the university.
Members of the delegation on the courtesy visit included Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. Kingsley Ubaoji , Director of Pre-Science programme and Member of the University Governing Council, Prof Paul Okolie, the JUPEB team among others.
