Akamkpa Business School, Maiden Students' Orientation.
Vice Chancellor of UEE Akamkpa, Inspires Students on Mindset Re-engineering, Personal Growth, and Entrepreneurial breakthrough
UEE Media | October 16, 2025 | UEE Akamkpa
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE), Akamkpa, Prof. Patrick N. Asuquo, has inspired students to embrace a transformative mindset as the foundation for personal growth and entrepreneurial excellence. He made this known while delivering an address on the “Overview of Mindset Re-engineering, Personal Development, and Entrepreneurial Success” during the maiden edition of the Students’ Orientation on Mindset Re-engineering, Personal Development, and Entrepreneurial Intention Among Students, organized by the Akamkpa Business School Wing of the University on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the ETF B Auditorium, UEE Campus.
Welcoming students, management staff, deans, directors, and heads of departments to the programme, the host, Hon. (Dr.) Kyrian Mfam, expressed profound appreciation to the Vice Chancellor for providing the required logistics and enabling environment for the success of the event. He described the theme of the orientation as timely and essential, noting that “it is the mindset that changes the world.” He added that the drive to reposition Cross River State from a civil service-dominated state to an entrepreneurship driven society would be spearheaded by the students of UEE Akamkpa, who are being groomed to think creatively, act innovatively, and lead sustainably.
Addressing the audience, Prof. Asuquo stated that UEE Akamkpa is founded upon two complementary routes the academic route and the entrepreneurial route. While the academic route follows the 70% CCMAS curriculum, the entrepreneurial route adds 30% of specialized content designed to equip students with practical skills, self-reliance, and innovative capacity. According to him, this model reflects the core objective of the University — to produce educators, innovators, and leaders who are not just job seekers but wealth and job creators, ready to navigate the complexities of the modern economy.
The Vice Chancellor disclosed that efforts are underway to establish an Entrepreneurship Development Centre and an Innovation Hub to strengthen practical learning and innovation. He explained that the Akamkpa Business School is strategically designed to ensure that entrepreneurial ideas are effectively translated into viable ventures, complementing the academic teachings in various departments. He emphasized that students themselves are the project and the builders, and that success begins with self-belief, intentional action, and resilience.
Prof. Asuquo reminded the students that they hold the key to unlocking their potential and that the greatest obstacle to their success lies within themselves. He urged them to make the best of the tools and opportunities the University provides to shape their future. According to him, the purpose of the orientation is to empower students to live self-reliant, productivity, and well-adjusted lives by cultivating confidence, emotional intelligence, discipline, effective communication, social awareness, goal orientation, and positive study habits.
He further advised students to be deliberate about their ambitions, stressing that what they build depends on how well they know themselves, how consistently they act with purpose, and how resilient they remain when things go off-script. He encouraged them to develop self-worth, maintain quiet confidence, and view failure not as defeat but as a lesson for future success. Above all, he urged them to build a growth mindset — one that is adaptable, optimistic, and forward-looking.
On emotional literacy, Prof. Asuquo charged the students to recognize their strengths and weaknesses and work diligently to improve upon them. Stressing on a healthy lifestyle, the VC advised them to practice delayed gratification, maintain personal hygiene, eat balanced diets, get adequate rest, exercise regularly, and manage stress effectively. Drawing inspiration from the creation story, he said, “Even God rested on the seventh day; therefore, you must create time to rest and rejuvenate.” He cautioned students against substance abuse and other harmful habits, urging them to make informed, responsible, and purposeful life choices.
The Vice Chancellor also spoke on financial literacy, admonishing students to understand budgeting, saving, and investment. He warned them against debt traps and reckless spending, emphasizing that money should be used as a tool and not as a master. He further encouraged them to be proactive, resilient, and purpose-driven. “Don’t wait — take initiative,” he advised. “Start with your ‘why,’ discover your purpose, align your interests with your academics, and create a personal roadmap. Believe in yourself, act intentionally, never stop learning, and be a leader — lead yourself, lead others, and be a good team player. The University is your training ground; build something you will always be proud of.”
The event also featured insightful presentations by notable scholars, including Hon. (Dr.) Kyrian Mfam, who spoke on “Mindset Re-engineering and Optimization of the Entrepreneurial Potential of Students”; Dr. Uduak Mbang, who delivered a session on “Cultivating Entrepreneurial Intention and Achieving Entrepreneurial Success as a Student”; and Dr. Christian Ibe, who discussed “Craving for Personal Development and Self-employability through Entrepreneurship.” Each presentation was followed by an engaging question-and-answer session, providing students with practical insights and guidance.
In his closing remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Assoc. Prof. Benedict Ugbong, expressed deep appreciation to the Akamkpa Business School for organizing such a thoughtful and impactful event. He commended the effort to shape students’ mindsets toward self-discovery and entrepreneurial advancement. Prof. Ugbong urged the students to approach their academic journey with determination and purpose, emphasizing that they should strive to “build something they will always be proud of.”
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Patrick N. Asuquo, was joined at the event by other distinguished members of the University Management, including Amb. Dr. Gabriel O. Egbe, Registrar; Assoc. Prof. Benedict Ugbong, Ag. DVC (Administration); Assoc. Prof. Patience Ebam, Ag. DVC (Academics); Dr. Christopher Ofem, Librarian; Assoc. Prof. Augustine Oshiomu, Dean, Faculty of Professional Education; Assoc. Prof. Timothy Ogar, Dean, Faculty of Social Science Education; Mr. Obo U. Bassey, Dean, Students’ Affairs; Dr. O. Obo, Director, Medical Centre; Assoc. Prof. Thomas Iyaji, Director, Career Services Centre; Assoc. Prof. Victor Effiong, Director, Institute of Education and Global Partnership; Chief Dr. Akpeh Ogon, Director, Physical Planning; and Dr. Imoke Etorti, Director, Centre for Teaching and Learning Excellence, alongside members of Akamkpa Business School, heads of departments, administrative staff, and other dignitaries who graced the occasion.
