OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO/GODWIN AYOBAMI RACHEL
Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun(FUPRE), Delta State said that his vision for the special institution is to make it a globally connected petroleum university whose transformative research and teaching places it at the forefront of leadership in energy discoveries.
Prof Rim-Rukeh disclose this at a ceremony to mark his 100 days in office as Vice Chancellor of the University, he added that he has also made preparation for a blue-print of accelerated growth and development of the university amidst renewed drive to increase the Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) of the institution through the establishment of the FUPRE Microfinance Bank, FUPRE Publishing House and among others.
The vice chancellor who took over the helm of affairs of the institution Monday, May 4, 2020 said that the institution has also signed research related Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two research and oil and gas companies in a bid to promote technology transfer in technical areas of the oil and gas sector as well as to carry out research that leads to innovation in petroleum refining and petrochemical industry.
On how to promote hard work and excellence among staff of the institution, Prof. Akpofure disclosed that promotion of staff will no longer be based on years of service but on productivity of staff adding that the institution has already received over 19, 000 applications from applicants in line with efforts to hunt for academic talent which he said will be done through a transparent recruitment and selection process.
According to Prof. Akpofure, “we have established a directorate of international development charged with the responsibilities of developing a comprehensive policy aimed at recruiting, retaining and supporting international staff and students as well as developing strategic security plans critical for the smooth running of the university.”
The Vice Chancellor added, “we have taken steps to prepare curriculums that will lead to the award of professional master degrees in engineering management, oil and gas management, environmental policy and regulation as well as fuel and energy.”
Speaking further on programs in the specalized university, he has this to say, “we have also taken steps to pursue programmes leading to the award of professional certificates in environmental corrosion, environmental risk management and process safety management as well as taken final touches to the comprehensive policy that will guide the university researches.”
