The Provost of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Owerri (AIFCE), Dr. Dan Anyanwu, has said that the college has the capacity to become a formidable university.
He made the call while presenting an address during the 27th convocation ceremony for the 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 graduands of the college held on Wednesday at the Convocation Arena.
The Provost noted that “in July 2015, the university status of the college was placed on hold. The college still hopes that one day this status would return. With more than 700 teaching staff and over 300 PhD holders. This institution has the wherewithal to become a formidable university of education. In two years, the college will be marking its Diamond Jubilee, having been established in 1963”.
He added that the “college has come of age and has the pedigree to be elevated to a university status. Besides, Imo State has consistently ranked among the states with the highest number of students sitting for the unified tertiary matriculation examination. A university of education here will further help to ensure that more young people have access to university education, as well as assist in providing more sound teachers crucially needed in the educational sector”.
Identifying challenges of inadequate funding, dwindling of National Certificate of Education enrollment, encroachment on the college land facing the institution, Anyanwu said the college remains grateful to God for being with them these past years as they labored to develop and improve the fortunes of the college. He appreciated distinguished personalities across board for gracing the auspicious occasion.
Anyanwu enjoined the graduands to be inspired by good deeds of rare “gems as they serve as proof that if you work hard and remain focused, you can be highly successful in this country and one day stood and be recognized by the society.
