The University of Bamenda (UBa) on Friday December 6 graduated 3421 teachers christened “Anti-Corruption” batch.
Speaking at the convocation ceremony in the University campus in Bambili, Pro Chancellor, Domonique Mvogo, representing Higher Education minister, advised the graduating students to eschew corruption.
“So many of you believe corruption cannot be eradicated, but I believe it is possible beginning with you as an individual,” he said. He added that in their capacities as role models, they have to be exemplary in teaching and evaluation.
Drawing from the case of a student whom he said was caught with unauthorized material in the examination room during end of course exam; Mvogo came down very hard on the grandaunts telling them “this type of student must not be found in our University.”
Tafah Edokat, Vice Chancellor of UBa in the same vein cautioned the graduating students against values that do not portray teaching as a noble profession.
“In this enviable profession, the knowledge you impart to students is based on the truth. In this light, a teacher who is morally bankrupt in the eyes of the students and society is an odd creature and a teacher who has vaulting appetite for money has chosen the wrong profession.” He appealed that they serve wherever they are posted adding that those rushing to work in towns will likely want to indulge in corrupt practices.
Besides churning out 1417 teachers and 1556 from the Higher Teacher Training College (HTTC), and Higher Technical Teacher Training College (HTTTC respectively, UBa also graduated its first batch of “non pedagogic” trainees in the Faculty of Science and Higher Institute of Commerce and Management.
The Vice Chancellor said it is just a modest beginning in a conscious plan to make the institution a knowledge production community. In the face of the growing student population and the need for more infrastructures, the Vice Chancellor appealed to government to step up the investment budget of the school adding that the absence of qualified staff in some Faculties and Schools is acute and begs for urgent attention.
Rev. Nyansaku Ni-Nku retired Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon delivered an academic discourse in which he enjoined the teachers to uphold moral values and not to get drowned in everything that pops up in the society.
The fourth convocation ceremony of UBa featured award of diplomas to the graduating students, oath taking by the guidance and counseling grandaunts, award of prizes to excelling students and a valedictory speech by the best graduating student.
Barika Ruth Ambang of the Higher Institute of Commerce and Management graduated as best student with a GP of 3.7on 4.
