PROFILE OF RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, PORT HARCOURT .
The Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt , the first Technological University in Nigeria was established in 1980 from the Rivers State College of Science and Technology which was established in 1972.
Its objectives are as follows:
• To produce Scientific and Technical manpower of various levels needed for essential development;
• To produce technical and scientific teachers for development programme;
• To assist in the industrial and other development programmes through consultancy services, special project centers and related activities.
• To encourage the advancement of learning and to hold out to all persons without distinction of race, creed, sex or political conviction the opportunity of acquiring a higher and liberal education;
• To provide course of instruction and other facilities for the pursuit of learning in all its branches, and to make those facilities available on proper terms to such persons as are equipped to benefit from them;
• To encourage and promote scholarship and conduct research in all fields of learning and human endeavour.
• To relate its activities to the social, cultural and economic needs of the people of Nigeria ; and
• To undertake any other activities appropriate for a University of higher standard.
Its motto, Excellent and creativity had been demonstrated through the seven Faculties, five Institutes, and a Post graduate school. The Faculties, Institutes and Centers are as follows:
These faculties offer degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels as shown below:
LIST OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES OFFERED
S/N FACULTY/PROGRAMME
1. FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE
• Agriculture (B Agric)
• Agric Econs & Extension (BSc, PGD, PhD)
• Animal Science (PGD, MSc, PhD)
Crop Science:
• Crop Production (MSc, PhD)
• Crop Protection (MSc, PhD)
• Crop Breeding (MSc, PhD)
• Environmental Crop Science (Bsc, MSc, PhD)
Soil Science:
• Soil Chemistry or Soil Survey and Landuse Planning or Soil Science (MSc, PhD)
• Pedoenvironmental Mgt Science (MPEMS, PhD)
• Pedoenvironmental Technology (MPET, PhD)
Forestry:
• Forestry (MF, MSc. PhD)
• Forestry & Environmental Science (MSc, PhD)
• Food Science & Technology (BSc, PGD, MSc, PhD)
• Home Science and Nutrition (BSc, PGD, MSc, PhD)
• Fisheries (BSc, PGD, MSc, PhD)
• Fisheries Biology & Management (MSc, PGD, PhD)
• Aquaculture (PGD, MSc, PhD)
• Aquatic Ecology (PGD, MSc, PhD)
Programmes and Level of Offer
• Agric Engineering (B Tech, M Tech, PhD)
• Chem/Petro-Chemical Engr (B Tech, M Tech, PhD)
• Civil Engineering (B Tech)
• Structural Engineering (M Tech, PhD)
• Highway & Transportation Engr (M Tech, PhD)
• Marine Engineering (B Tech)
• Ship Power Plants (M Tech)
• Naval Arch & Ship Building (M Tech)
• Computer Engineering (B Tech)
• Electrical Engr (Power Option: B Tech, PGD, M Tech, PhD)
• Electrical Engr (Electronics Option: B Tech, PGD)
• Electrical Power Engineering (M Tech)
• Mechanical Engineering (B Tech)
• Applied Mechanics & Design (M Tech, PhD)
• Production Engineering (M Tech, PhD)
• Thermo-Fluid Engineering (M Tech, PhD)
• Petroleum Engineering (B Tech.)
• Architecture (B Tech, MSc)
• Estate Management (B Tech, PGD)
• Land Surveying (B Tech)
• Quantity Surveying (B Tech)
• Urban & Regional Planning (BURP)
Programmes and Level of Offer
• Accountancy (BSc, MBA)
• Banking & Finance (BSc, MBA)
• Business Administration (with options in):
• Management (BSc, MBA, PhD)
• Marketing (BSc, MBA, PhD)
• Mass Communication (BSc, MSc)
• Secretarial Administration (BSc)
Programmes and Level of Offer
• Business Education (BSc, MSc, Med, PhD)
• Agricultural Education (BSc, MSc, Med, PhD)
• Science Education (BSc, MSc, Med, PhD)
• Technical Education (BSc, MSc, Med, PhD)
• Educational Mgt. (BSc, MSc, Med, PhD)
• Adult & Community Education (BSc, MSc, Med, PhD)
Programmes and Level of Offer
• Applied Biology (BSc)
• Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS)
• Applied Microbiology (MSc, M Phil, PhD)
• Plant Pathology (M Phil, PhD)
• Applied Entomology (MSc, M Phil, PhD)
• Marine Biology (Msc, M Phil, PhD)
• Chemistry (MSc, M Phil, PhD)
• Inorganic Analytical Chemistry (MSc, M Phil, PhD)
• Organic Chemistry (MSc, M Phil, PhD)
• Physical Chemistry (MSc, M Phil, PhD)
• Computer Science (MSc, M Phil, PhD)
• Mathematics (BSc)
• Physics (BSc)
• Nuclear & Radiation Physics (MSc, M Phil, PhD)
• Solid State Physics (MSc, M Phil, PhD)
• Theoretical Physics (MSc, M Phil, PhD)
• Experimental Physics (MSc, M Phil, PhD)
• Geophysics (Applied) (MSc, M Phil, PhD)
Programmes and Level of Offer
• Law (with options in):
• Commercial, Private & Property Law (LLM, PGD)
• Jurisprudence, Public & Int'l Law (LLM, PGD)
• Law & Diplomacy (MA)
• Centre for Continuing Education
• Centre for Niger Delta Studies
• Centre for Special Projects
• Computer Centre
• Medical Centre
• Institute of Education
• Institute of Foundation Studies (IFS)
• Institute of Geosciences and Space Technology (IGST)
• Institute of Pollution Studies (IPS)
• Rivers Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (RIART)
IFS provides foundation courses designed to broaden the outlook and Educational background of students in all faculties in the University. The Institute also runs a masters Programmes in Social work and Gender studies as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Local Government Administration.
RIART is established mainly for the training of intermediate level manpower and the execution of adaptive research in all fields of Agriculture.
The objective of the establishment of the Institute of Geo-sciences and Space Technology (IGST) is to assist in solving the environmental problems of Rivers State , especially the menace of flood and erosion. Currently, the institute runs an M.Phil and Ph.D programmes in Environmental Management and Hydrographic Engineering.
Pollution Studies is meant to address the increase in the quantity and varieties of Pollutants released into the air, water and soil. These pollutants threaten the ecosystem and the very survival of the Niger Delta people especially in view of the present critical situation in the Niger Delta. The major focus of the institute among others is to study and evaluate the peculiar environmental problems of the Niger Delta and proffer lasting solutions for other conservations. This specialist/expertise was therefore necessary for a sustainable development of the area.
Constitution of Officers
The Officers of the University as approved by Law and as presently constituted are as follows:
1. Visitor - His Excellency, Dr Peter Odili, Governor of Rivers State
2. Chancellor - (Vacant)
3. Pro-Chancellor - Prof. Godwin O.M. Tasie
4. Vice-Chancellor - Prof. S.C. Achinewhu
5. Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Prof. V.O.T. Omuaru
6. Registrar - Mr. M.Y. Oguru
7. Ag. Bursar - Mr. A.N.F. Daminabo
8. Ag. Librarian - Dr (Mrs) Blessing Ahiauzu
AFFILIATION/MEMORANDU OF UNDERSTANDING WITH OTHER UNIVERSITY AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
The Rivers State University of Science and Technology since the year 2000 signed a memorandum of understanding with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. This understanding is based on co-operation in the realm of post-secondary Technical Education and Vocational training infrastructure and operations within the University in order that they can provide for increase need for individuals with necessary technical skills that will be suitable to employment within the energy industry.
The memorandum of understanding between Rivers State University of Science and Technology and University of Calgary , Canada was entered into in October 2000. Areas of co-operation include the following:
• The development of collaborative research projects.
• The organization of Joint Academic and scientific activities, such as courses, conferences, seminars, symposia or lectures.
• Exchange of research and teaching personal.
• Exchange of students
• Exchange of publication and other materials of common interest.
The Rivers State University of Science and Technology on 26 December 2001 entered into linkage arrangement with Kentucky State University , USA . Areas of co-operation include:
• Exchange of faculty members for research, lectures, and discussion
• Exchange of academic materials and academic publications
• Joint research activities
• Exchange of graduate and undergraduate students for study and research.
The linkage agreement was specifically on aqua-culture.
The objectives of this memorandum of understanding among others are:
• To exchange faculty and graduate students conducting research on the stress tolerance, vaccine production, vitamin A and micronutrients production, and disease prevention for selected agricultural products such as corn, soybeans and cassava.
• To conduct risk assessment and develop risk communication for genetically modified agricultural products (GMAP) derived from the research listed in (a) above.
• To investigate the economics and distribution of the said research products.
THE COLLEGE OF EARTH AND MINERAL SCIENCES OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Article I of the memorandum of understanding states inter-Alia – The parties are jointly developing a multidisciplinary project involving students and faculty in the area of georesources management and related issues in Africa . The project focuses on economic vitality, stewardship of the environment, and the development of human capacity. Within the context of that project, activities may include the development of an international community of scholars through visitor project, activities may include the development of an international community of scholars through visitor programs and research and educational collaboration. These activities will take the form of joint development of courses, programs, and instructional innovations; focused research collaboration among cooperating institutions; and faculty and graduate student exchanges and joint publishing.
HIPACT is an association of British Universities committed to widening participation in higher Education, the Rivers State government on behalf of RSUST entered into agreement with her in year 2000. Hipact acts as an intermediary to negotiate cost-effective opportunities between Universities and government. Through this programme, Hipact helps to build a strong relationship between the government and British Universities.
This year, 40 staff of this university have been given approval to pursue various programmes in British universities which is expected to commence in September this year.
Citizens International Boston, Massachusetts USA.
The aim of this relationship is to build capacity within Rivers State in the areas of Agricultural production and processing of information Technology. Cassava formed an initial area of Focus, along with palm oil production, processing and marketing.
Under this arrangement, the RSUST is also to assist in the collection of baseline data to be used in project evaluation in Rivers State and elsewhere in the Niger Delta.
The uniqueness of the RSUST could be seen in the following areas:
• It is the first Technological University in Nigeria and the first to be situated within the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.
• The only university in Nigeria that offers degree programmes in Marine Engineering and Secretarial Administration.
• The only University that has institutes that undertake Space Technology and Environmental studies and Jobs on Consultancy for government and non-government organization.
• The only University in Nigeria with an institute of Pollution studies.
• The only University with a centre for Niger Delta studies.
• The first and only state owned university to offer campus accommodation to staff.
The University has a staff strength of 3,000 and a student population of 17,000
Endowed Professorial Chairs
The University has the following endowed professorial chairs.
1. Michelin - Professor of Mechanical Engineering
2. DFFRI - Professor of Science and Technology forrural Development.
3. Shell - Professor of Environmental Pollution studies
4. Niger dock - Professor of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
5. Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) - Professor of Petroleum Engineering
6. Chief Ebitimi Banigo - Professor of Banking & Finance
• African Continental Bank - Professor of Accountancy
• Rivers State Government - Adolphos Karibi-Whyte Professor of Law
