Newly admitted undergraduate and Postgraduate students at the Center for Innovation in Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CIPESS) were amidst the 3,514 students matriculated into various courses for the 2023/2024 academic session at the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi.

Addressing the new students at the James Ayatse Convocation Square during the matriculation event on Thursday 16th May, 2024, the Vice Chancellor, Engr Prof I.N Itodo maintained that, “matriculation ceremony is a rite of passage to usher fresh students into the formal structure, environment, tradition, and culture of the University as it confers on new students the rights and privileges of the University life immediately the oath is administered.” The Vice Chancellor further congratulated the Matriculants on their admission into the University and urged them to set their priorities right and settle down for the academic journey and the challenges ahead.

On his vision and mission, Engr Prof. Itodo said his administration’s vision has been clearly defined to ” reposition the university for national and global competitiveness.” He added that, the pursuit of academic excellence focusing on quality teaching, research, extension services, infrastructure as well as staff and students’ welfare in the foreground were aimed at maximizing the use of ultra-modern techniques in teaching and research, agricultural production and approaches to solving the problems of farmers in the society.

The University Don reiterated his administration’s tireless effort to provide conducive learning environment for students, highlighting the strides of his administration on student welfare within the last to include Repair and Renovation of students’ hostels; construction of gas plant by Hyde Energy for supply of cooking gas on campus; Uninterrupted electricity and water supply to hostels; Total illumination of surrounding hostels environment among others.

He advised the newly matriculated students to shun all acts of violence and social vices warning that these acts could place their names in the black books of the University. The Vice Chancellor called on parents and guardians to team up with the University administration and law enforcement agencies in stamping out anti-social practices on campus.

The 3,514 students matriculated for the 2023/2024 academic session comprised 2,602 undergraduate regular students,139 sandwich students and 773 post Graduate students.