Winner. University of the Year 2021

Rivers State University

Motto: Excellence and Creativity
Type: Public
Established: 1980

Vice Chancellor: Professor Dr. Nlerum S. Okogbule
Academic staff: 952
Administrative staff: 1200
Students: 28000
Address: Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, 500262, Nigeria
Website: www.ust.edu.ng

The Rivers State University, Nkpolo-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt was established in 1980 as the premier University of Science and Technology in Nigeria. It was created from the College of Science and Technology established in 1970. So it inherited the assets and liabilities of that College. Up till 2017, its name was Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

It was set up as a unique and uncommon university, the first of its type in the country. Located in the lower Niger Delta area of Nigeria, it is viewed as an engine turning the wheel of the socio-economic and techno-cultural evolution and development of Rivers State. Given the natural resources of Rivers State and Delta region within which it is situated, the University in its capacity as an essential engine impacting on the overall growth of the area, has contributed immensely to the development of the region.

The University has been considered to be a child of circumstances, having emerged on the scene with parochial and universal objectives. It is expected to help solve the problems of the huge Niger Delta and seek to advance the frontiers of universal knowledge, through systematic work, for the general benefit of mankind. Consequently, the University has created indelible imprints on both the immediate environment and the wider society.

In its forty years of existence, Rivers State University has had over ninety-five thousand thousand graduates of various certificates, diplomas, degrees, and post-graduate degrees. It has been involved in international linkages and communications. Some of these academic linkages, affiliations, and collaborations include those involving: Gdansk Technical University, Poland; University of Philippines; University of Brazil; University of Florence, Italy; University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Delft Institute of Technology, Netherlands; Kentucky State University, USA; University of Calgary, Canada; University of Dundee, Scotland; Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, USA; Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China; and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Apprised of the import of modern communication trends that facilitate collaborations, alliances, and connections, the University has striven to keep pace with new global trends in respect of Information Technology (IT). It, as a matter of course, attained the stature of an e-university and was in 2014 rated the best e-university in Nigeria. The well-equipped Information Communication and Technology Center, with an enviable and appreciable infrastructure, currently runs the Information Technology Academy (ITA), a Microsoft accredited ICT Academy and a Cisco accredited Technological Partner.

At its inception in 1980, it had only five faculties and two institutes. This has increased to twelve faculties, Post Graduate School, College of Medical Sciences, and several institutes, centers and units. New departments and programs have been introduced and accreditation received for almost all of them; except those yet to be due.

Recent achievements of the University include:

1) Increase in the number of faculties, from 7 to 12, including a Medical College with three faculties;

2) Increase in departments from 48 to 76;

3) Growth from a single campus to a multi-campus university with 4 satellite campuses established in June 2021;

4) Expansion of infrastructural facilities simultaneously on the main and satellite campuses;

5) Rise from the 6th in 2020, to 5th, the best university in Nigeria in 2021;

6) Pioneering efforts in e-student management wherein electronic and digital platforms drive the management of students in the areas of registration, teaching and learning, examinations, records management, hostel allocation, security, and e-voting in students' elections;

7) Quality Assurance Policy that has ensured that the vast majority of faculties are on i10 index, e-feedback platform are used for staff performance evaluation by students;

8) Orientation towards an entrepreneurial university that affords students diverse practical, business, and soft skills that could dispose them to become successful entrepreneurs, value-creating employees, and functional citizens.