By Roland Ike

The Vice Chancellor of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, Prof Sunday Elom, has defended the award of first class honours to 52 graduands in its forthcoming convocation ceremony.

Elom was speaking Monday at the institution while briefing newsmen on the institution’s forthcoming combined 7th and 8th convocation ceremony scheduled for Thursday, May 23, 2024.

The Vice Chancellor noted that producing 52 first class students out of 3,474 graduands was not high as the university’s students are hardworking and intelligent.

“We are proud of the first class recipients and can vouch for them anytime.

“We have a robust quality assurance directorate which ensures the vetting of marks awarded to students.

“The institution does not award marks indiscriminately and such cannot happen under my watch.”

He noted that 1, 357 graduands belong to the 2020/21 academic year set while 2,117 belong to the 2021/22 set.

“911 graduands bagged second class upper degrees, 2,088 bagged second class lower degrees, 407 bagged third class and one graduand got a pass.

“We are graduating 96 post graduate students, nine with doctorate degrees, 62 with masters degrees and 24 with post graduate diplomas.

“This is the first time we will be presenting doctorate and masters degrees students for convocation.’

Elom disclosed that Honourary Doctorate Degrees would be conferred on two eminent Nigerians for their laudable contributions to the development of the country.

“Former Governor of Ebonyi state, Chief Martin Elechi will be conferred with a Doctor of Economics while Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Founder of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company will bag a Doctor of Engineering and Technology.

“The convocation lecture with the topic: Challenges and opportunities to improving power availability in Nigeria will be delivered by Prof. Bartholomew Nnaji, Former Minister of Power.

“We will also organise a research fair and arts exhibition where our researchers will be showcasing their ground breaking works, inventions and innovations”, Elom said.