SUMAS MATRICULATES 776 NEW STUDENTS ON ITS 2ND MATRICULATION
In a striking display of academic celebration, State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS) Igbo-Eno, Enugu State, on the 23rd of March, 2024, during its 2nd matriculation ceremony, formally admitted over 700 students into the various faculties of the university.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. James C. Ogbonna, declaring the matriculation open, urged newly admitted students of the institution to count themselves special as there has been a significant increase in the number of applicants into most of the programmes in SUMAS. He noted that since most of the programmes are regulated by various professional bodies, only about 10% of the applicants were admitted.
He congratulated the privileged 776 students that matriculated, advising them not to abuse “the new found freedom” in the university. His words: “Freedom without discipline and responsibility can only lead you to doom. You must always think of the consequences of your actions and inactions. The consequences of not doing well in your examinations can be devastating and usually very difficult to remedy.” The VC appealed to the students to study hard, be of good behaviour, and avoid bad companies or groups.
Speaking further, he stated that the university has zero tolerance for cultism and other social vices, and that if any student gets him/her self involved in any cult activity, he/she will be dismissed from SUMAS out rightly.
The VC, reassured parents that SUMAS management will do her best to give good education to their wards by providing conducive environment for learning and in particular in offering excellent quality and global competitive instruction and tuition
Sharing the remarkable progress the institution achieved over the past one year, the VC said, “SUMAS has continued to witness a lot of transformations, the ICT building has been completed; the perimeter fencing is almost completed; work to complete the building of the Teaching Hospital has resumed and it will be completed before the end of May this year while the Mother and Child Hospital will also be completed in May this year. Construction of an additional office block is on-going and work on completion of the road network will soon commence”.
“Another landmark achievement is the passing of the Teaching Hospital Bill by the State House of Assembly. The Bill has been signed into Law, and thus the Teaching Hospital will be fully operational by the third quarter of this year. The Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria paid advisory visit to our Faculty of Pharmacy and was so happy with the facilities on ground that they increased our admission quota. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria as well as the Radiographers Registration Board have also been scheduled to come for evaluation of our facilities”.
The Governor of Enugu State His Excellency Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, speaking during the matriculation ceremony, stated that it is a very special occasion in the sense that SUMAS is continually increasing her reservoir of success, but not surprised because the leadership of SUMAS vested on Prof. Ogbonna as a successful academia, internationally recognized and well respected beyond the shores of this country, can even do more than expected of him.
He further advised the matriculants that SUMAS is a citadel of learning and not a place to exercise muscular vanity in the name of secret cult. “We want a SUMAS that will have recognition across the globe, graduates from SUMAS that will be able to compete with their peers all over the world”.
Speaking further, he said that the administration of Governor Mbah will do whatever they can do to make life, teaching and learning better for students and teachers at SUMAS. As a government, we keep working with SUMAS to expand her capacity, he stated.
The event witnessed the presence of many dignitaries including the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai and the Honorable Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon, Uchenna Ugwu. In fact, people from all walks of life graced the matriculation ceremony, including parents and guardians of matriculating students, friends and well-wishers of the university, invited guests and the general public.
Highlights of the event include; Academic procession to the matriculation arena, administering of matriculation oath by the Registrar of the University, Mr. Anselem Onah, to the matriculants. It was indeed a wonderful experience as the newly admitted students took their oath and were officially presented as members of SUMAS.
