The University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State has revealed that about One-hundred and seventy-four, 174 students of the Institution have bagged first-class honours as it graduates 12,450 students at the 2024 convocation which comes up on Saturday.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Nyaudo Ndaeyo stated this on Tuesday while giving a breakdown of the graduands at the pre-convocation briefing which was held at the University’s Council chambers of the University, Nwaniba Road, Uyo.
He said, “This year’s convocation is yet another very significant milestone ceremony in the life of this administration. It is significant in that it’s a combined ceremony of the 29th and 30th convocation in the series of this great citadel of learning.
“The combined convocation has a total of 12,450 graduands. The breakdown shows Thus: PHD 303, Master’s Degree 608, Postgraduate Diploma 246 bringing the total to 1,167. The bachelor’s degree in the 2020/2021 session is 4,823. First Class 56, second class (upper division) 1,737, second class (lower division) 2,336 third class 412 and pass degree 282 bringing the subtotal to 4,823 while diploma is 176 and certificate 5, giving a total of 5,004.
“Bachelor’s degree in the 2021/2022 season 6,012. First Class 118 second class (upper division),2,306, second class (Lower division) 2,895 third class 481, pass 212, subtotal 6,012 diploma 235 certificate 32 bringing the total to 6,279.
According to the VC total postgraduate graduands is 1,167, total undergraduate graduands is 10. 835, total diploma graduands is 411 and total certificate graduands is 37 giving a total of 12, 450”
The VC also announced that three eminent Nigerians: Chief Effiong Afiakure, Mrs Halima Zakaria and Dr Itanwan James would be conferred with an Honorary degree from the University.
He added that the Honorary professor Emeritus degree of the University would be awarded to a professor of Public Finance Policy, Professor Akpan Ekpo while Honorary distinguished professors degrees would be conferred on three outstanding professors of the University
They include Professor Enefiok Essien SAN faculty of law, Professor Godfrey Udoh Department of Estate Management and Professor Essien Urua of the Department of Linguistics and Nigerian Languages.
The VC who used the occasion to highlight achievements recorded by the University since the inception of his administration, also listed the challenges including theft of equipment and facilities, inadequate funding, encroachment on the university land and shortage of manpower in critical field of studies occasioned by the embargo on employment by the federal government