BMU RECEIVES JUPEP REGISTRAR/CEO, PROFESSOR WALE OKUNUGA ON A PRE-ACCREDITATION VISIT-26TH OF JULY, 2021.
In a bid to introduce the JUPEP Programme into programmes of the Bayelsa Medical University, Professor Ebitimitula N. Etebu, Vice Chancellor invited the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEP) to undertake a Pre-Accreditation visitation exercise on the 26th day of July, 2021.
The Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board, JUPEB is a National Examinations Body approved by the Federal Government in December 2013 and formally established in April, 2014 with the responsibility of conducting common and standard examinations for candidates who have been exposed to a minimum of one year approved courses in different partner and affiliate University, Foundation and Diploma programmes.
Prof. E. N. Etebu who welcomed the JUPEB Registrar/CEO and his entourage on behalf of the BMU Governing Council, Senate, Management, staff and students informed him that BMU is a new University established over two years ago and has been able to get this far as a result of collaborations and partnerships with Government as well as Agencies. Professor Wale Okunuga was accompanied by Prof. Nath. M. Abraham, Director JUPEB Centre, University of Port Harcourt and Mr. Abimbola Abubakar, Senior Executive Officer, JUPEB.
In the Prof’s words, “the Bayelsa Medical University will require the collaboration of other institutions like JUPEB to set up some programmes, that is why BMU reached out to JUPEP with the view of getting accredited for the JUPEP programme”. The Vice Chancellor assured the JUPEP Registrar that the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) is prepared to host a JUPEP Centre and urged them to enjoy the hospitality extended to him and his Team. He further urged the team to carry out their assignment without mincing words and advice the University on areas needing improvement and what it needs to do to be accredited for JUPEP.
The JUPEB Registrar/CEO, Professor Wale Okunuga thanked BMU for the warm reception accorded them. Recounting the history of JUPEB, he stated that established in 2013 by the Federal Government, JUPEP held its first examinations in June 2014. He noted that JUPEB examinations are usually held in June every year, except for the year 2020 where they were shifted to September due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. He added that the examination for the year 2021 is slated to be held in September and preparations are in top gear for admissions.
The JUPEP Registrar also informed the Vice Chancellor and those present that JUPEB has over 90 Universities affiliated to it, although it started with 10 Universities from the South South and South West with one exception from the North Central. It is run by a Governing Board Chaired by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos and meets quarterly.
Professor Okunuga highlighted that all Vice Chancellors are members of the JUPEP Board, while JAMB is a partner with its Registrar as a member. Other members of the Board include a representative of WAEC and a representative of the Federal Ministry of Education. He said in all, 16 persons make up the Board which makes policy decisions, while the Registrar of JUPEB runs the day to day activities. It is the duty of JUPEB to go around annually to monitor the activities of the Centers as lectures as well as where exams are conducted.
The Registrar/CEO JUPEB noted that if the Pre-accreditation visit is successful, by September when Universities begin their new sessions, BMU can begin to admit new students in preparation for 2022 examinations.
The JUPEB delegation was conducted on a tour of BMU facilities such as the hostels, Health Center, University Clinic, Lecture rooms, classrooms, library, laboratories, ICT center, Auditorium and Cafeteria.
After the tour, the JUPEP Registrar concluded by saying that by the time this exercise is over, with the facilities he saw on ground BMU will be informed officially if it has been approved to run the JUPEP programme. The event ended with a group photograph and a dinner in honour of the visitors.
In the company of the Vice Chancellor where the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. P.J. Alagoa, the Registrar, Dr. Guagha M. Berezi, the University Librarian, Dr. Victor Idiedo, the Director, Academic Planning Research and Innovation, Prof. Olu Osinowo, the Director, Centre for Foundation Studies, Dr. Godwill Ziriki, the Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr. Doris Dotimi, the Legal Adviser, Barr. John Thatcher (Esq), the Dean, Students Affairs, Dr. Seimokumo Angaye, the Director of Works, Engr. Atim Joseph ,the Ag. Director IFL-BT/Public Relations Officer, Dr. Marie Teibowei, the HOD, Biology, Dr. Angaye Godwin, the Coordinator Mathematics, Mr. Sylva Ligeiazibe, the Coordinator Physics, Mr. Keneke Edwin Dauseye, the Coordinator, Chemistry, Mr. Jumbo A. Benjamin, the Coordinator English, Mr. Isoun Seth Tolumoye, the Coordinator ICT (Academic), Mrs Amabie Timipre, the Biology lecturer, Mr. Patani Dudutari Edmund, the Chemistry lecturer, Mrs. Ogola Emma Ebitimitula, the ICT lecturer, Dr. A. C. Obiene and Mrs. Peremo Opiah, Secretary to the Centre for Foundation Studies.