UNN VC Ozumba laments poor funding of varsities

The vice-chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, has called on all and sundry to contribute to the funding of universities in Nigeria.

Ozumba, who made the call Friday at a special convocation ceremony organised by the University as part of the activities to mark the end of his tenure as the vice-chancellor , lamented that poor funding hampers research and other academic activities of the universities.

The university boss, who reeled out catalogue of achievements his administration made in the area of research and infrastructure development of the university, said with better funding, universities have students and staff who could come up with ideas and innovations that can take Nigeria to the Next Level.

“As a vice-chancellor, I have a first-hand experience of the consequences of the poor funding being experienced by universities in the country. In reality, I have been at the receiving end of the frustrations of staff and students whose genuine demands cannot be met because of paucity of funds in the university,” he said.

He said but for prudent management of available resources at the disposal of the university, the situation would have been worse.

“Universities all over the world receive huge periodic support from donors, philanthropists and alumni to fund their research and implement the development agenda of such universities. I, therefore, call on all our friends, alumni and stakeholders to begin to think of creative ways of giving back to the University of Nigeria.

Ozumba said his administration created a project which they call Roar Nigeria Hub, “where students talents are being brought to fore, a Science Park, as well as a laptop assembly,” adding that “with better funding, these projects would benefit not only the university, but the entire nation.”

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