2018/2019 School Year:

UB Matriculates 5813 Freshmen

By Boris Esono in Buea

UB VC and Orange Cameroon official exchanging books after signing MOU

The University of Buea, which is the only Anglo-Saxon style University in Cameroon has matriculated its 26th batch of freshmen and women for the 2018/2019 academic year.

                On Saturday 17 November, some 5813 students took the matriculation oath at the open amphitheater of the University, making them official students of the University.

The registrar of the University, Prof. Roland Ndip Ndip, and the VC, Prof. Horace Ngomo, led the oath taking ritual, during which the students promised to be loyal, honest, committed and to take part in all academic and extra-curricular activities at the universities.

                The Vice chancellor used the event to call on the students to make use of social media to foster their educational pursuits.

                “Social media is the greatest liability depending on how you use it… Many people have wrote on the positive aspects social media plays but there are others who have also warned on the greatest danger posed by it. Use it to support your studies because your studies are the very reason you cameto UB. In the next three years, we will be here again to graduate you”.

                The students have defied all odds to make it to the place to be…. Many applied despite the precarious situation we are going through. The Matriculation exercise is the surest sign you are a bona fide person of UB. In response to the Minister's call for the computerization of the payment method, students of the College of Technology, COT developed a software application which we have judged to be the best”.

                Statistics provided by the vice chancellor indicates that close to six thousand five hundred (6500) students applied for admission into UB, while five 5813 students were accepted, excluding those of the Higher Technical Teachers Training College (HTTTC) Kumba, and post graduate students of all the 10 colleges.

                The Faculty of Social and Management Sciences has the bulk of the new entrants with 2019 students. The Faculty of Laws and Political Science follows with 1291 students, Faculty of Science 1058, the Faculty of Education 778, Faculty of Arts 288, Faculty of Health Sciences 242 students. 

                Words of gratitude were extended to the Head of state for his recent decision to recruit two thousand lecturers.

                “We are assuring the head of state that these lecturers will help in no small measure to advance the professionalization of programs in the school”.

                The VC called on the new students to make use of the student guide and be vigilant and guard against detractors who may derail them in their education.

                Presenting an academic paper titled “The Art of Learning”, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine; Prof. Molua Ernest Lytia prescribed transformation of the mind not only as public servants but as private entrepreneurs.

                “You must make yourself available to be transformed and be trained. Knowledge is not generically attained. When you stop learning you die. Stay in school to get the education which is in the 21st century”.

                He further urged the newly admitted students not to develop the habit that UB is a place where they can retire. He said: “UB is not a place where you come and retire. Young people at 18 years now think UB is a place to retire and relax”. “If you want to be useful, you have to read so you are not a liability to your family and the society. Reading is also a means of exposure. Spend your money to buy books and do not be angry when your lecturers say you should buy books/textbooks”.

                An ecumenical service was organized with the Muslim chaplain calling on God to bring everlasting peace in Cameroon, especially in the two Anglophone regions undergoing violence, killings, abduction, and many others. “Secure our schools, homes and campuses from all forms of evil” he said.

                The matriculation ceremony was attended amongst others by UB Pro-chancellor, representative of the SDO for Fako, SG of the Buea council, DO of Buea, Orange representatives, media and the students.

                During the event, there was the signing of the Digitalization Partnership between UB and Orange Cameroon which involves the digitalization of the campus and also the installation of 25 Orange Pulse Masters (student Orange Brand Ambassadors).

                Sone Blaise Kang, supervisor of Orange Brand Ambassadors said the partnership is aimed at digitalizing the campus.

                “The essence is to create a consciousness of a digital world. Today, we are improving in the IT but we have noticed that paper works have a bigger place in our offices. These ambassadors are trained to be able to come up with positive ideas or come up with projects that Orange is ready to sponsor. The worry that most people have is how to get jobs when they finally graduate. So this will help them to develop the idea of coming out with a project which they can call their own”.

                He added that the ambassadors will not be working for free as each month, 2 GB internet will be provided to them to carry out their activities. The digitalization has been extended to other Universities such as Yaounde I and II, Ngaoundere, Maroua, Dschang and now UB, he said.