Gombe State University on Saturday conferred degrees and diplomas on 3,958 graduates at a combined convocation ceremony.
The Vice-chancellor of the university, Prof. Ibrahim Umar, said in Gombe that the convocation was for the 6th 7th,8th and 9th sets of graduates.
He said the certificates awarded the graduates were 37 Postgraduate Diplomas in Education and four Master’s Degree for the 2013/2014 to 2016/2017 sessions.
He said 51 graduated in first class in the undergraduate programmes, 864 graduated in the second class upper division class, 1,945 were in second class lower division, 1,038 had third class and 60 had pass.
He congratulated the graduates and their parents for the successful completion of their studies and wished them success in their future endeavours.
Umar said that the university had recorded an increase in students’ admissions, adding that the undergraduate admissions rose from 1,545 in the 2013/2014 session to 3,636 in the 2017/2018 session.
“Two new undergraduate programmes in Human Anatomy and Human Physiology were introduced in 2017/2018 academic session.
“To further increase access to tertiary Education, Diploma and Part Time Degree programmes were introduced in 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 academic sessions,’’ he said.
According to him, over 2,500 students have been admitted in the two programmes in the last two years and admission to remedial programmes has also expanded to 2,000.
He commended Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo for his financial support to the institution.
In his remarks, Gov Ibrahim Dankwambo, promised to continue to support the development of the university and other tertiary institutions in the state
He commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TEFUND) for contributing to the development of the university through the provision of physical infrastructure, staff training and other interventions.
Alhaji Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar, the Emir of Gombe and the Chancellor of the University, congratulated the graduates and advised them to be self-employed.
He advised them to focus on their future ambitions as opportunities abound for them to excel.
Alhaji Haruna Rasheed, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the university, said the university was working hard for national development.
He commended the governor for releasing monthly recurrent expenditure and funds for the payment of Earned Allowance and Postgraduate study grant to the staff.
Rasheed, who is the Emir of Dukku also commended TEFUND for contributing to the development of infrastructure and staff development in the university.
The university conferred honorary Doctor of Administration on Abubakar and Hajia Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary- General of UN, while Dr Christopher Kolade received honorary Doctor of Letters degree at the ceremony. (NAN).
