Al-Hikmah University Matriculates 1,140 Students, Warns Against Vices
The AL-Hikmah University Ilorin Kwara state has warned the newly 1,140 Matriculated Students of the Institution not to indulge in drug abuse, cultism and examination malpractice or other social vices.
The Vice Chancellor, Al-Hikmah University, Professor Noah Yusuf, gave the warning while delivering his address at the 17th Matriculation of the Institution held at the University auditorium on Friday.
Yusuf reiterated the commitment of the Institution to always provide quality education blends with moral and Spiritual essence with ‘Zero Tolerance To Indiscipline’.
Prof. Yusuf, who also stressed that Al- Hikmah University does not discriminate against Students’ enrollment and Staffing urged the newly matriculated students to make themselves available for learning and obey the University rules and regulations.
“Today’s event highlights the process of formally becoming bonafide students of our Great University, Al Hikmah University, Ilorin. Our University is unique in many respects:
It is the first Islamic faith-based University in Nigeria having been established in 2005;
“Secondly, the institution enjoys full accreditation status of all its academic programmes;
“Thirdly, it also enjoys professional accreditation of specialised programmes – Law, MLS, Public Health and Nursing;
“The institution operates the lowest fee regime among private Universities in Nigeria; it provides quality education blends with moral and spiritual essence; and, non-discriminatory policy on students enrolment and staffing.
“It is only today, after you have sworn the Matriculation Oath and signed the Matriculation Register that fate has paved the way for your destiny at Al-Hikmah University.
“As you might have noticed in the course of your experience since your resumption, the University has provided all the facilities required to enhance learning, teaching and research.
“These include the provision of lecture rooms with modern teaching facilities, a robust Internet Access, physical and e-learning materials in the Library, sporting and recreational facilities among others.
“I am pleased to inform you that in line with modern trends and reality of this time, the University is laying emphasis on and promoting Entrepreneurial skills.
“We have in place Abdulraheem Oladimeji Centre for Entrepreneurship and Vocational Studies (AOCEVS) for various trade and skills acquisition. This is aimed at changing the mind-set of our students from being prospective employees, scouting and roaming the streets for unavailable white-collar jobs, creators and employers of labour.
“Through our entrepreneurial programme, every student shoulld have acquired requisite skills in the chosen trade and registered own company with the Corporate Affairs Commission, before graduation.
“In line with the above and to further guide your career choice, the University Management is making arrangement for the commencement of regular “Role Model Public Lecture Series”, where successful youths and University Alumni would be invited to tell their success stories, Prof Yusuf added.
While welcoming the new students to Al-Hikmah University, the Vice Chancellor reiterated that the institution ‘s Vision and Mission Statements should be their compass and must allow the messages to remain firmly in their hearts:
“VISION: To serve as forerunner in the provision of quality education of International standard.
MISSION: To be an educational institution where sound academic knowledge blends with moral and spiritual excellence.”
The VC urged the students to take special interest in the University Anthem, adding that the first two words of the anthem are of particular spiritual importance – “A-LLA-HU AK-BAR, A-LLA-HU A-KBAR”.
According to him, these are very touching, highly significant and very effective words to recite at all time.
“Endeavour to allow the words to be your motivator. Once you put Allah first in whatever you do and at any circumstance, Allah will guide You right and provide protection and relief for any hardship.
“Always remember that the fear of Almighty Allah (SWT) is the beginning of wisdom. You should also endeavour to learn the two stanzas of the University Anthem by heart, sing and hymn it is every now and then,” he said.
Prof Yusuf, then, sounded a note of warning to all matriculating students, saying ” the University management has zero tolerance to indiscipline in any guise – disobedience to University rules and regulations, truancy, night-crawling, drug use and abuse, examination malpractice, cultism and any other anti-social acts.
“We shall do all it takes to execute our mandate of providing quality, all- round education.
“However, any student caught contravening the University rules and regulations shall not be spared by evoking the sanctions attained in the University Law.
“There is no room for impunity in our University. Al-Hikmah University should set good examples for others to emulate and not otherwise. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed!”
The Vice Chancellor said the matriculating students will no doubt feel happy to see their colleagues, (scholars) all dressed colourfully in their Matriculation Gowns and regalia, saying “they should take today’s ceremony as a personal challenge to aspire to be in this same assembly in the next four or five years, In sha Allahu.”
“On behalf of the Founder, BOT, governing Council and University management, I sincerely appreciate our parents for making Al- Hikmah University the University of First Choice for their wards.
“In Sha Allahu, you will never regret your decision. Ameen. As parents, you have done YOUR BEST by sponsoring your wards to our University; as management, we shall equally do OUR BEST by providing conducive environment for quality education to our students; in a similar manner, the students should also do THEIR BEST by making themselves available for learning and obeying University rules and regulations.
“To our parents who are physically present at today’s ceremony, we wish you journey mercies back to your various destinations. To others who are not here with us, wishing you the best. Jazakhallahu Khayran.
While Performing the Matriculation Oat to the freshers the University Registra, Dr (Mrs) Oladimeji Modupe, the registrar, appealed to the students not to engage themselves in any Social Vices and be a good ambassador of their various families.
Edited by Felix Ajide
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