Following the recent approval by Senate for the upgrade of three (3) academic programmes of Abia State University, namely; Nursing Sciences, Medical Laboratory Science and Optometry, to full fledged seperate Faculties of Abia State University, the Vice-Chancellor, Distinguished Professor Onyemachi M. Ogbulu, has continued to receive encomiums from different quarters, including the senior teaching staff members of the new Faculty of Optometry, in appreciation of his efforts to fulfill the dreams of the University's founding fathers and launch Optometry into a more global standard.
Leading a delegation of senior academics to the Vice-chancellor in his office, the Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Chris Timothy, on behalf other members of the team, commended the Vice-Chancellor for his numerous engagements with relevant stakeholders in the build up to the approval and provision of the necessary equipment, that facilitated the recommendation for the upgrade of the Department to a Faculty.
According to the Dean, the new Faculty of Optometry, Abia State University, is the first both in Nigeria and Africa hence the Vice-Chancellor will be remembered for this great achievement.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the Governing Authorities, thanked the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Senate of the University for approving the new Faculty, adding that hosting the first Faculty of Optometry in Africa, places a huge responsibility on Abia State University University to set the required global standard that other operators of Optometry will follow in continental Africa.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed satisfaction with the academic excellence of the newly approved Faculties of Optometry, Nursing Sciences and Medical Laboratory Science in both internal and professional requirements and examinations, which form parts of the indices for evaluation by NUC for the upgrade and urged the Faculties to work closely with NUC and other professional bodies to ensure the promotion of the core mandate of the University in Teaching, Research and Community Service.
The Vice-chancellor eulogized the Governor of Abia State and Visitor to the University, Dr Alex Chioma Oti OFR, for his support to the Institution.
The new Faculty of Optometry will be made up of six (6) Departments – Ocular Health, Low Vision and Rehabilitation, Primary Care Opto metry, Cornea and Contact Lens, Pediatric Optometry, Orthoptics and Vision Therapy.
