AUST HOLDS MAIDEN MATRICULATION CEREMONY

History was made on Saturday, April 1, 2023 when the African University of Science and Technology(AUST), a pan African, Coeducational research oriented university situated in the Nigeria capital, Abuja held its maiden matriculation ceremony.

The epoch-making event which took place at the university’s multi-purpose hall was the first of its kind since the university commenced active academic work in June, 2007.

A total of 94 students were matriculated on that day. A breakdown of this figure shows that School of Business Administration and Management Sciences had 10 students, School of Computing and Information Technology 63 students while School of Engineering 21 students.

Addressing the matriculating students, the Acting President of the University, Professor Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS charged the newly admitted students to learn on how to do things differently.

According to Professor Onwualu “ We teach our students based on projects so that when they graduate, they become reputable entrepreneurs, innovators and technologists of high class irrespective of the certificates awarded”

He charged them to maintain the high academic standard the university is noted for by working hard and eschewing all social vices that could hinder their smooth academic pursuits.

In her speech, the keynote speaker, Dr. Benedicta Chiwokwu Agusiobo, a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow and International and Professional Education Consultant who spoke on the title “ Quality Education For Sustainable Development Worldwide” stressed that while sub-Saharan Africa made the greatest progress in primary school enrollment among all developing regions – from 52 percent in 1990, up to 78 percent in 2012 – large disparities still remain as children from the poorest households are four times more likely to be out of school than those of the richest households. Disparities between rural and urban areas also remain high.

Achieving inclusive and quality education for all she maintains should reaffirm the belief that education is one of the most powerful and proven vehicles for sustainable development.

This goal according to her ensures that all girls and boys complete free primary and secondary schooling by 2030. It also aims to provide equal access to affordable vocational training, and to eliminate gender and wealth disparities with the aim of achieving universal access to a quality higher education.

She therefore charged the university community to ensure they provide equal access to affordable vocational training, and to eliminate gender and wealth disparities with the aim of achieving universal access to a quality higher education.

The event was attended by  representatives from the National Universities Commission (NUC), Federal  Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Captains of industry, partners, parents and members of the general public.