By Francis Sadhere, Warri
The Vice Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Delta State, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga, has said that his goal is to ensure that DELSU is ranked amongst the top 10 best Universities in the world.
Prof. Egwunyenga made this statement on Wednesday while addressing newsmen during the 15th Pre Convocation press conference held at Campus 3.
Prof. Egwunyenga said his dream of ensuring that DELSU is ranked amongst the top 10 best Universities is gradually unfolding as the University, in the latest global ranking of Universities by Alper-Doger Scientific Index, was ranked as the 27th best University in Nigeria among the over 200 Universities in the country and the 4th best among State owned Universities.
He added that further analysis of the ranking showed the University to be the best State University in the South-South and South Eastern part of Nigeria.
“Furthermore, another highly recognized global Universities ranking body, Webometrics, in their own latest ranking, placed the University as 194th out
of 2087 Universities in Africa and 24th out of over 200 universities in Nigeria, based on verified Google Scholar Citations.
“According to the ranking, Delta State University recorded 56,443 citations, beating some highly rated Universities in the United States of America, United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Turkey, Portugal, Canada, and some other more advanced countries.
“This again is consistent with the Alper-Doger Scientific Index ranking that earlier placed the University as the 27th best in the country and 4th best State owned University,” Prof Egwunyenga said.
Prof Egwunyenga also reeled out some of the University administration’s achievements since assumption of office, noted that the 15th Convocation of university which will hold on Saturday 29th of April, is primarily for the purpose of awards of Degrees, Diplomas and Prizes of the University to deserving graduands who have been found worthy in character and in learning.
On infrastructural development, Prof Egwunyenga said one of the projects to be commissioned on Saturday, is the Building of the Faculty of Management Sciences, which according to him, started on the 28th of April 2022.
Other completed projects carried out by his administration include; Completion of 3.2km of Road Network within the permanent site of the University, Tarring of internal roads in the Faculty of Engineering and Provost Office of Oleh Campus of Delta State University, and renovated students hostels.
On strengthening the academic programmes of the University, Prof Egwunyenga said this was the first time in the history of the University that full accreditation would be returned for forty (40) Programmes in one fell swoop.
He said with the accreditation of the forty programmes earlier sent to the National Universities Commission (NUC) in November/December 2022, this means that the eighty (80) Programmes in the University now have full NUC accreditation status.
“No interim accreditation, no denial for any Programme. This again is
unprecedented in the history of the University and has only been made possible by the unwavering determination of the University Administration and the entire staff to advance and reposition Delta State University, Abraka, for national and global recognition,” Prof Egwunyenga said.
On research and international programmes, the VC noted that their research goal is to help make the university the epicentre of multidisciplinary research that is providing solutions to the problems of the taxpayers, communities, government, private sector and humanity in general.
“On linkages and internationalization, our goal is to engage the University in linkages and partnerships with other universities as well as both governmental and non-governmental bodies within and outside the countries to make our university globally visible,” Prof Egwunyenga added.
He thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, for his unwavering support in funding the University.
He also commended the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, for his inspiring leadership and for creating an enabling environment for the University Administration to discharge its responsibilities in line with the University statue.
