By Sam Oditah
Uturu – Gregory University, Uturu in Abia, is to confer an honorary Doctor of Science in Public Administration on Vice-President Joseph Boakai of Liberia at its maiden convocation, a university official has said.
Others listed to be awarded honorary Doctoral Degrees in Business Administration at the ceremony are the Chief Executive Officer of Startimes Nigeria, Jack Liu Jintan, and the Manager, Skill-G Nigeria, Mr Moshe Moalem.
The university also announced a 30 per cent downward review in tuition fees across all the courses.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Juliet Elu announced the decisions at a news briefing on the activities for the convocation ceremonies.
She said the reduction in fees was designed to cushion the effects of the economic recession on parents and guardians.
Elu, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Okafor, said that the three-day event would commence with a thanksgiving service on Thursday.
She said that the convocation lecture would be delivered by Boakai, while 72 students out of the 86 pioneer students, would be awarded degrees in various disciplines.
The vice-chancellor said four students would receive first class degrees, 26 would get second class (upper division), 31 second class (lower division) and 11 third class division degrees.
She said that the university, which was inaugurated in 2012 by former President Goodluck Jonathan, commenced full academic activities with three colleges and 16 courses.
“From that humble beginning, our school began to experience unprecedented astronomical growth in size, content and curriculum.
“From three colleges, we grew to eight, including medicine, engineering, law, environmental sciences, agriculture, natural and applied sciences, humanities, social and management sciences, ” she said.
Elu said that the 16 courses had been accredited by the National Universities Commission.
The Chancellor of the University, Dr Gregory Ibe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, would be the special guest of honour at the convocation.
“We expect that the governor would use the visit to make a pronouncement on the deplorable state of the road leading to the university,” Ibe said.