The Vice-Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt Professor Owunari Georgwill has been honored by Time Africa Magazine, as the change Maker of the year 2022. Time Africa is an International Bi-weekly Magazine with a culture of excellence with correspondents across the Africa.
Making the presentation at the Vice Chancellors Office, University of Port Harcourt, the Chairman of Time Africa Board, Rory Knight said Professor Georgewill is honored because of his highest level of excellence and achievement in his field.
The Board Chairman who was represented by the Managing Director and Editor-In-Chief of the Magazine, Chidi-Peters Okorie said “Africa100 Award/Medal of Honour is bestowed on Professor Owunari Gerogewill based on three criteria: outstanding research, unusually effective teaching, and distinguished professorial service. “Today he is given this medal of honour and listed among the African 100 due to his high impact performance and I hope that this Honour shall bring to Professor Goegewill a feeling of accomplishment and encourage him to move forward with increased confidence and strength,” he said.
Roy Knight said the University of Port Harcourt has become Africa’s education game-changer, shifting from teacher-centric education to student-centric education, noting that Professor Geogerwill upon assumption of office, has made history through his programmes that have set transformational agenda for a competitive University of Port Harcourt.
He described the VC as a reformer who has introduced several reforms programs that have brought the university management closer to staff, students, and stakeholders. Knight said, “under Georgewill’s leadership, the university has made tremendous progress in areas of academic, international collaborations with universities in Africa and Europe as well as Canada and the US and has attracted government and international organizations in the infrastructural uplifting of the University”
Responding, Professor Georgewill expressed appreciation to Time Africa Magazine for the recognition and dedicated the award to all men and women of goodwill striving for excellence in their various fields of endeavor and to God Almighty.
He said the journey so far has been interesting and revealed that he would use every opportunity at his disposal to present the university to the national and international community.
He noted that since his assumption of duties, he has treated everyone fairly and equally.
“Since my assumption of office on July 13th, 2021, justice and fair play has been my watchword, I provide equal opportunity for all irrespective of tribe, religion, or gender. I give high consideration to gender in all my appointments and maintained the rule of law in all my actions by the extant rules of the University” Georgewill said.
He assured the organization that he would not be scared to delve into uncharted waters saying that has been the conveyor belt that has enabled him to continue to thrive in leaps and bounds; creating an engaging environment to nurture academic growth and encourage a culture of research and development, teaching and learning as well as community service.
