New VC, Ikonne, pledges to reposition ABSU

Vice Chancellor, Abia State University Uturu (ABSU), Professor Uche Ikonne, has promised to reposition the institution by, among other things, effecting the necessary changes that would improve the fortunes of the 34-year-old state university.

He has also admonished staff members and students to always do the right things as it was only by so doing that the institution would attain higher heights.

Addressing academic and non-academic staff of the university upon assumption of office as the seventh substantive vice chancellor Ikonne, a professor of Optometry, expressed worry that in spite of all determined efforts in the past, the school still slumped from 87th position in national ranking in 2014 to 93rd position in 2015.

In his agenda titled, “My Mandate- Our Story Must Change”, the new helmsman stated that this poor ranking of ABSU “gives us a poor external perception and tends to undermine the commendable strides and laudable inputs made by previous administrations.”

Consequently, he said that his administration would open up the university to national and international interactions, by focusing and addressing global parameters for ranking of universities, which he enumerated to include teaching (the learning environment), research (volume, income and reputation), citations (research influence), industry income (innovation) and international outlook (staff, students and research).

On unionism, he said he shares the philosophy of all staff unions working towards the wellbeing of their members, but added that unions are expected to play supportive and positive roles in the pursuit of resources to meet the welfare demands of staff members.

While calling on them to become veritable partners in installing discipline in the conduct of their members,” Ikonne said his administration will continue with the already established regular promotion exercises in order to avoid the burden of salary arrears .

He expressed appreciation to all that contributed to his emergence as the vice chancellor saying, “I feel honored and yet humbled by this special favour, which manifest all colorations of Divine Intervention as it transcends all known ethnic and specialty barriers.

Ikonne pledged to consolidate on the feats of his predecessors as well as chart a new course for higher achievements.