EDUCATING UNINFORMED MINDS TAKES PATIENCE AND GRACE

Amb. Gabriel Egbe Ph.D | Registrar, UEE, Akamkpa

I took time to go through the widespread positive reactions that followed the recent announcement of the expansion of academic programmes in our cherished institution (UEEA). These expressions of goodwill are not only encouraging but also reaffirm public confidence in the focus and direction of management in positioning an emerging centre of excellence.
While we welcome constructive engagement and criticism from all stakeholders, it will not be out of place to still educate one or two individuals who are still dancing naked in the public space, either due to lack of information or deliberate attempt at misleading the gullible public. You may sometimes think that doing so is time- wasting; but i still believe that it is our duty to educate the public by addressing those concerns and misconceptions expressed, especially those in the public space. No doubt, educating uninformed minds requires patience and the grace of God to do so.This is largely because of their limited or inaccurate understanding of the university’s operations, mandate, and academic framework.
It is also important to emphasize that such concerns are best addressed through sincere communication, restrictive clarification, and purposeful enlightenment in the interest of promoting informed public discourse.
I read the comment of one Emmanuel Ejikeme who wrote, "University of education offering Nursing Science...you should change the name of the university" Another comment from Mr Etim Bassey reads " what is entrepreneurial about the above (verified) courses". These are all laughable comments coming from uninformed minds. We should not cast aspersion on them at all. We need patience to educate them. Reactions like these are well expected, but we should be quick to educate them so that they dont go to bed and sleep with such notions. We need to inform them rightly. After all, Jesus Christ affirmed that He came for siners and not the righteous.

First and foremost, the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, by its very *name* and statutory mandate, is a university in the full and universal sense of the word. A university, globally, is defined not by any form of restriction but by the universality of knowledge, embracing diverse *disciplines* geared towards solving societal problems and advancing human development. Therefore, the introduction of programmes in critical and emerging fields is not in any way a deviation but a fulfilment of the core philosophy and responsibility of a modern university.

Secondly, the inclusion of the word “Education” in our university's name is deliberate and foundational. It reflects our commitment to teaching, learning, research, and the development of highly skilled professionals across various sectors of the economy. Education, in this context, is broad, dynamic, and responsive to national and global needs. The programmes recently verified ( which has got some section of the public confused) are firmly rooted in sound educational principles and are designed to produce competent graduates equipped to serve humanity with excellence.

More importantly, the defining feature of our institution, which is entrepreneurship, remains very central to our identity and operations. It can not be diminished and can never be jettisoned; rather, it has been deliberately integrated into all our academic programmes.
At the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa, entrepreneurship is not confined to a single department or faculty. It is a core philosophy embedded across the curriculum, ensuring that every student, regardless of discipline, is equipped with entrepreneurial skills, innovative thinking, and value-creation capabilities.
It is also necessary to state here and again that the academic direction of the University aligns with global best practices, where institutions are increasingly expected to produce not just job seekers, but job creators, innovators, and solution providers. Let the likes of Mr Emmanuel and Etim Bassey check the curriculum of Scotland Entrepreneurship University. Can they also ask why that university offers courses like political science and Conflict Studies among other subjects in sciences and humanities?
In UEE, our objective is clear : to prepare our potential graduates not only with professional competence but also with the entrepreneurial mindset required to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Furthermore, all our programmes, including the newly verified ones, have been developed strictly in accordance with the guidelines of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the regulatory body for university education in Nigeria The successful outcome of the resource verification exercise is a clear testament to the University’s preparedness, compliance, and unwavering commitment to quality assurance.
We therefore urge members of the public to disregard the insinuation that the university is deviating from its mandate. On the contrary, the institution is deepening and expanding its mandate in line with contemporary educational realities and national development priorities.
The Governing Council of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa, led by Prof Susan Etim and the management ably led by a pragmatic expert in the management of higher education, Prof Patrick Asuquo remain fully committed to producing graduates who are academically sound, innovative, self-reliant, and globally competitive. Our resolve to implementing and sustaining the integration of education with entrepreneurship across all disciplines is unwavering.
We call on parents, guardians, and prospective students to continue to partner, support and align with this noble vision as we position our University (UEEA) as a leading institution in both academic excellence and entrepreneurial development in Nigeria.