AE-FUNAI Welcomes 5,357 Freshmen at 13th Matriculation Ceremony

Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, AE-FUNAI Ebonyi State has held its 13th matriculation ceremony with 5,357 students admitted into the various academic departments and faculties of the institution.

While delivering his matriculation speech, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Sunday Elom, who was represented at the various faculties by the Deans, noted that the institution was happy to welcome Five Thousand Three Hundred and Fifty Seven (5,357) freshmen from different backgrounds into the family of  AE-FUNAI, adding that out of these figures, 3,107 and 2,250 of them were females and males respectively and that the candidates had met the requirements to be admitted into our university in the 2024/2025 academic session.

The Vice-Chancellor assured the freshmen that they have made an excellent choice as the university is one of the most serious public universities in Nigeria, and it is renowned for its academic excellence, innovative research, and commitment to character development, stressing that the institution is proud to be a serious citadel of learning, where knowledge is pursued with passion, excellence and integrity.

Admonishing the new students, the Vice-Chancellor states, “as freshmen, you are about to embark on a transformative journey that will shape your future and prepare you for the challenges of the 21st century knowledge-driven economy. Our university is committed to providing you with a world-class education that combines academic rigor with practical and entrepreneurial skills and godliness

“I charge you to abide by the ideals and culture of our university. We value excellence, integrity, and respect for others, and we expect you to uphold these values in all your interactions. Our university is a place of learning, growth, and development, and we expect you to take advantage of the numerous opportunities available to you.

“As you navigate our campus, you will see that we are trying to build a campus in a garden through a deliberate planting of trees and creating of walkways. I encourage you to explore our facilities, engage with our faculty and staff, and participate in our extracurricular activities. We have a vibrant student life, with numerous associations and organizations on campus that cater to diverse interests and passions.”

Prof. Elom further urged the new students to abide by the rules and regulations governing the university, respect all constituted authorities and the people and culture of host communities as well as to shun unethical behaviours.

“I must remind you that our university has rules and regulations that govern academic and social life. I charge you to familiarize yourself with these rules and regulations as encapsulated in the students’ handbook and to respect them at all times. The university has zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractices, indecent/improper dressing, bullying, sex-for-grades, ‘sorting’, campus prostitution (hook-up) and other unethical behaviours. We take discipline seriously, and any breach of our rules and regulations will be addressed accordingly.

“As you interact with our host communities, I urge you to respect the people and their culture. Our university is situated in a beautiful and peaceful environment, and we expect you to contribute to the maintenance of this peace. We have a strong commitment to community engagement and development, and we encourage you to participate in our outreach programmes and activities”.

The Vice-Chancellor also assured the new students of administration’s commitment to supporting them every step of the way, stressing “Our faculty and staff are dedicated professionals who are passionate about teaching, research, and mentoring. We have a robust support system in place, including academic advising, counseling and career guidance, students’ affairs and public relations office. I advise you to ask questions and seek answers and clarifications from relevant authorities of the university when you are at a crossroad. You may also reach me, your Vice-Chancellor and ‘father’ on campus via WhatsApp messages only through my personal phone number

Prior to the matriculation ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor met with the parents and guardians of the students and the leadership of the AE-FUNAI Parents’ Forum  at the Senate chamber where he reassured them of his sold-out commitment geared towards providing their children and wards with robust and quality university education