UNILAG MATRICULATES 6,784 FRESH STUDENTS FOR 2011/2012 SESSION

VC TASKS FRESH STUDENTS ON ACADEMIC, MORALITY AS UNILAG MATRICULATES 6,784

Fresh students of the University of Lagos have been urged to shun cultism, indecent/immoral behaviour and other vices. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe made this call at the 2011/2012 Matriculation Ceremony of the University where 6,784 students matriculated. Below is the full text of the Vice-Chancellors speech: It is indeed my great pleasure to welcome you all to this unique ceremony put in place to formally admit our fresh students into the University system. Matriculation is a highly treasured tradition of universities all over the world. It is a milestone in the academic career and development of newly admitted students. Today’s ceremony is unique in the sense that all students offered provisional admission would formally be admitted as bona fide members of the university community. This ceremony is equally significant in the sense that it offers fresh students the opportunity of seeing and knowing principal officers of the university. Finally, today’s ceremony marks the climax of activities put in place to introduce fresh students into the University system. Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen, permit me to congratulate our fresh students for being the lucky few to have been offered admission to the University of first choice; the nation’s pride. I urge you all to make good use of the unique opportunity given to you. It may interest you to know that this year, out of the over 100,000 applications received across all the faculties for the 2011/2012 academic year, the University offered admission to a total of 8,223 students out of which 6,784 have so far registered. The breakdown on faculty basis is as follows: Arts:                                         561                       Business Administration:      1010            Education:                                   1028 Engineering:                      649              Environmental Science:                 451              Law:                                         236    Medicine:                                    637    Pharmacy:                                  287              Science:                                              1, 005          Social Science:                            920 Dear Matriculants, at the orientation exercise of Monday, November 14, 2011, you were introduced to facilities/programmes such as the Library; the Sports Centre; the Arts Gallery; the Botanical and Zoological Garden; the Work-Study Programme put in place to assist indigent students; the Standard Size Swimming Pool at the Guest Houses and the Recreational facilities along the Lagoon Front. You are advised to make the best use of these facilities to enhance your social and academic lives in the University. I would like to inform you that there is a Dress Code in the University. I urge you to adhere to this Dress Code to avoid embarrassment. Note the slogan: “Dress the way you want to be addressed”. I wish to encourage you all to work hard and distinguish yourselves in your academics. Our University has a motivational package for scholars, that is students on Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.50 and above. The package is made up of: v  An annual endowment scholarship of N50,000 (Fifty thousand Naira); v  Provision of accommodation in choice halls; v  Fifty percent discount on bed spaces; v  Nomination to participate in seminars and conferences nationally and internationally; v  Participation in recruitment tests in the final year; v  Nomination for scholarship from external bodies on the request from organisations; v  Selection as guest speakers at orientation programmes to motivate fresh students. You will agree with me that this package is not only attractive but equally inspiring to be a beneficiary. I would conclude by admonishing you to be good ambassadors of your families, alma maters and the University. In this regard therefore, I urge you to shun cultism, indecent and immoral behaviours and other vices. Once again, I congratulate you and wish you a successful academic pursuit in the University of Lagos. Thank you and God bless you all.