UNIBEN Holds Virtual Matriculation

Recently, technology has come to play a massively influential role throughout all human endeavours and now, even major ceremonies in academia are being included. 

This was most visible in the University of Benin through the varsity’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, who disclosed that the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof Lilian Salami, has permitted a virtual matriculation ceremony for students admitted into the 2019/2020 academic session of the university.

On Tuesday 15th September 2020, this became a reality as all the admitted students into the 2019/20 academic session were formally welcomed into the prestigious university virtually.

The historic ceremony was held at the Akin Deko Auditorium the University of Benin and was attended by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, alongside the university’s principal officers and a few designated officials. Also, student representatives of the various colleges, schools, institutes and faculties were present.

The Acting Registrar, Mr Clarkson Ehigiator, administered the Matriculation Oaths to the student representatives of the various colleges, schools, institutes, and faculties present at the ceremony.

“This year’s ceremony is expectedly different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the outbreak of the pandemic has forced the entire world to embrace new ways of human relations and accomplishing tasks, hence, a virtual event such as this, that has become imperative and our new way of life.” These were the exact words of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Lilian Salami, in her Welcome Speech presented to all admitted students on Tuesday.

Addressing the 10,018 qualified and admitted students, Prof. Salami congratulated and welcomed them into the prestigious University of Benin which she prided as “UNIBEST”.

She commended the admitted Students on their hard-work and the determination that has brought them this far while encouraging them to continue to put in their best so as to achieve the goal and aim for which they have been admitted. She reiterated the fact that the journey between the Matriculation Ceremony and the Convocation Ceremony is a wide one and comes with a lot of sacrifices, as the University of Benin will not award her degree to individuals who are found wanting both in character and learning.

She reaffirmed to the freshmen that the institution has everything in place to support their academic and non-academic growth throughout their stay in the University of Benin, equipping them with relevant and effective knowledge for service as stated in the varsity’s motto.

Speaking with one of the student representatives present at the event, Eghosa Destiny Iyekekpolor of the School of Basic Medical Sciences, he expressed gratitude for a time like this for him and the University. Eghosa Destiny, however, echoed concerns regarding the fact that the celebration was not ceremonial as usual, owing to the COVID-19 regulatory measures.

In a virtual interview with Desiree Iyekeoretin of the school of Basic Medical Sciences, she was thankful for her admission into the varsity while she reflected on her discontent at the fact that it happened at a time where she could not openly celebrate with her family and friends. Still, she understood that the restrictions were in the best interest of the public.