From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio will today perform the official unveiling of the Amadeus University, in Amizi, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.
This is even as the university said it has provided an initial research fund of N10 million to kick start research activities in the institution.
Disclosing these while addressing newsmen at the main campus of the university, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Samuel Nzotta, said the Senate President will be accompanied to the institution by Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti.
Nzotta said the university’s unveiling would be closely followed by the institution’s first matriculation, adding that 40 students will be matriculating today.
The VC used the occasion to call on the federal government to review the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) operations for private universities to benefit from its activities.
He said reviewing TETFUND operations will not only enhance staff development in private universities, but will also ensure holistic research activities in the country as a whole.
“The Federal Government should review the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) mode of operations to enable the intervention body to provide research grants to scholars in private universities.
“This will enhance staff development in private universities and ensure holistic research activities in the country generally. This shall be salutary to the economic development of Nigeria,” he said.
While announcing the provision of an initial research fund of N10m to kick start research activities in the university, Nzotta said this would put in place various strategies to attract additional research grants from international funding agencies and corporate bodies.
He commended the Founder/Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Council, Dr. Godwin Nwabunka for his foresight in establishing the university he said would produce self-reliant, nationally relevant and globally competitive graduates fit for the 21st century digital world.