The University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun in Delta, says it has mapped out a five-year strategic action plan for academic transformation and infrastructure development.
Prof. Rim-Rukeh Akpofure, Vice-Chancellor of FUPRE, made this known to newsmen in Effurun shortly after receiving executive members of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Delta chapter.
Akpofure, who assumed duty on May 4 as the vice-chancellor, said, “the committee has set up a strategic plan for the next five years to take the university to the next level,”
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He said his vision was to ensure rapid infrastructure development and academic improvement in the specialised institution.
The vice-chancellor said other areas of concern was the possibility of improving funding of the university by appealing to the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders for assistance.
According to him, these will enable the university to fulfil its mandates of being a specialised institution.
“We are opened to all bodies across all spheres of human endeavours to come and partner with us for the growth of all sort of humanity.
“We want to see a trajectory of academic improvement, infrastructure development, such as roads, hostels, library, books and all that will promote the growth of the university.
“I have been here for the past 12 years, as a pioneer staff, we have a good relationship with all stakeholders of the university,” he said.
Akpofure said the institution would welcome constructive ideas from the professionals to promote its development.
“We welcome your collaboration and ideas. We look toward to a better mutual and beneficial relationship with the APBN,” Akpofure said.
The vice-chancellor said that his areas of focus included holding regular meetings with the Dean of the Schools and the academia in the aspects of research and development.
Earlier, Mr Paul Akporowho, the Chairman, APBN, Delta chapter, said that the visit was to enable the association to interact with the institution vice-chancellor and see areas of collaborations.
Akporowho said that the collaboration was to enable the VC to achieve his vision to provide high-level manpower for the oil and gas industry.
“We look at the possibility of how we can improve the employability of the graduates from this university.
“We also look at areas of assisting through the pool of our accomplished professionals in providing mentorship coaching for the final year students, especially those interested in full professional practice after graduation.
“APBN also wants the university to upscale its entrepreneurship centre to include vital areas like computer-aided design, contract and project management, software programming among others.
“In other climes, students with this kind of background, and relevant skills can compete anywhere globally when they graduate.
“We believe that within the mandate of our operations, we can provide such assistance to the university to make the students employable and useful to themselves and the society,” Akporowho said.