Cameroon:University of Buea Vice Chancellor Warns Freshmen Against Procrastination!

By Christopher Ambe Shu

UB Vice-chancellor: Prof. Titanji

The Vice-Chancellor of University of Buea (UB), Professor Vincent P.K. Titanji, has strongly advised newly admitted undergraduate students of this Anglo-Saxon varsity - who totaled 6956 for the 2011/2012 academic year –to be students of positive actions and stop procrastination in the pursuit of their academic goals.
The Vice-chancellor who issued the warning on November 18 on campus as he chaired the Matriculation of these 6956 students ,dubbed the Renewal Batch ,told them emphaticallythat ‘knowledge acquisition is paramount among your objectives for university studies’.

Out of 9000 who applied for undergraduate admission, the university admitted 6956 for the 2011/2012 academic year which just started.

University of Buea, started in May 1993 with 500 students, today has an enrollment of 16,000 and runs degree programs from Bachelor’s to PhD degrees.

The freshmen, all clad in their official black and white suits, publicly took the matriculation oath-promising to obey the rules and regulations guiding student conduct and discipline in the University of Buea,described as Cameroon’s most prestigious state-owned university.

Speaking to the freshmen, Professor Titanji said: “I therefore advise you not to postpone what can be learnt today for tomorrow, nor postpone what can be done now for later. Make it a point of coming to class on time, listening and taking notes and above all, finding out things for yourselves”

UB Freshmen at  November 18,2011 Matriculation

He called on the students to take advantage of ICT’s. “You can access books, journals, documents in the major languages from virtually every country through the internet”, he said but warned them to go about it with caution and discernment because not all that is on the Internet is correct, useful or even true.

Professor Titanji noted that the University through its programs stimulates students’ analytical skills and encourages them to be open-minded and critical.
“It is through learning your lessons in class and seeking for knowledge by yourself, that your ability to think critically will be enhanced and entrenched”, the VC said, adding that the professionalization of courses is the catchword of UB;that the new university syllabus is civics and moral education, intended to groom students who will become law-abiding and upright citizens, globally.

“Discovery and innovation need focus and concentration; so I encourage you to concentrate on your studies”

The Vice-chancellor also warned students against many distractions on campus and in their neighborhoods .Such distractions, he said, include heavy –alcohol –consumption,, drug peddling, prostitution, and occultism.

Guest Speaker, Stephen Asek, of the International Governance Institute, who is an ex-student of UB, in a discourse, stressed the need for students to be hardworking, honest and morally upright in order to succeed in life.
 An ecumenical service -officiated by the Islamic, Catholic, Presbyterian and Baptist chaplains of the varsity called on God to direct and bless the students towards genuine success.
“We pray for a sense of focus and purpose in their academic pursuit.Lord, into your hands we commit the faculties, schools and staff of the institution…” said Amos Talikon, the Presbyterian Chaplain.