Dream Big, Set Clear Vision For Yourselves, FUPRE Vice Chancellor Tells Matriculating Students

By Frank Oshanugor

The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, (FUPRE) Effurun in Delta State, Prof. (Engr) Akpofure Rim-Rukeh has advised the newly admitted students of the institution to have big dreams with clearly defined visions for themselves as they embark on new and higher academic journey in their life.

The FUPRE boss gave the advice on Tuesday at the 14th Matriculation ceremony of the institution which is the first Petroleum University in Africa and sixth in the whole world. A total of 1,377 new students admitted into various departments took Matriculation oath at the event.

In his words, “I encourage you to set high academic and moral standards for yourselves. Academically, you must aim to be the best you can, coming out in flying colours. Dream big and set new vision for yourselves. There should be no limit to your dream.

It is absolutely important that you remain focused on your vision, if you want to make any meaningful progress.”

He advised them to appreciate early enough “as students of the University that your future is in their hands, so what you do today may make or mar it. So you must demonstrate at the end of your stay in the university that you have been refined both in character and learning to affect positively the larger society.”

“It is worthy of note that you must always be good ambassadors of the University to prove to world that you were not just here for ceremony but acquisition of knowledge and expertise that will not only shape your destiny as an individual but the society at large.”

Prof. Rim-Rukeh told the students that the University system globally, offers a good measure of freedom but that they must guide the freedom with good conscience and avoid involving themselves in social vices like cultism, examination malpractice, sexual harassment and so on.

Recounting the achievements of FUPRE since he assumed office in May, 2020 as the fourth substantive Vice Chancellor of the institution, Rim-Rukeh said “I have continued to

build on the foundation laid by my predecessors. Our first landmark achievement was the approval by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to commence six new undergraduate programmes.

“All things being equal, the university will be matriculating students at the next ceremony in the following programmes, Petrochemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, Gas Engineering, Statistics and Science Laboratory Technology. We would therefore expect increased population and activities in the coming years.

“We are also working tirelessly to improve our students accommodation capacity. Hopefully, the on-going 600 bed-space NEEDS hostel would be completed for students use before the end of the current session while construction work will soon commence on a new hostel under the TETFUND High Impact Intervention.”

He added that “the university community would soon enjoy an ultramodern ICT centre built and donated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). This will go a long

way in complementing our existing ICT infrastructure.

“As you therefore embark on this new life experience in the university, I urge you to make conscious effort to establish lasting moments of friendship and leave legacy of hard work and excellence.

“I therefore admonish you not to engage in acts that would cause unrest or damages either individually or collectively. The University will not condone the destruction of its property under any guise as such would be met with stiff penalties.

“Let me also draw your attention to the evils of cultism. You must be conscious of the associations you keep. Cultism is evil before God and man, and those who unequally yoke themselves with it, are evil. You should be on guard to resist any attempt to lure you into cultism,” the Vice Chancellor advised.