—–10% of deaf graduands bag first class

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

Thirty Nine of the 230 graduating students of Wesley University, Ondo, Ondo State, have bagged first class division.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Rt. Rev. Prof. Sunday Samuel Obeka, who said this during a Press conference to herald the 13th convocation, said about ten per cent of the best-graduating students are deaf.

Obeka said that the 230 students would graduate across the 45 undergraduate academic programs in the university, adding that the university runs an inclusive education system that accommodates all forms of students with disabilities.

According to him “I am glad to inform you that Wesley University is the only university across the country that embodies the inclusive education project.

“Out of 230 students graduating this year, the university took note of the deaf scholars who are graduating, and we saw that about 10 per cent of the best students are the deaf scholars of this university.

“About six deaf students graduated last year at the upper level, and we have eight graduates who are deaf this year, and we pray that more deaf students will be graduating in other fields as we continue.

“At Wesley University today, we have deaf students who specialise in any field of their choice. We have deaf students who study computer science.

“We have deaf students who are in the law faculty. We have deaf students in the social services, and we have deaf students in other programs.

“Six deaf students graduated last year at the upper level, and we have eight graduates who are deaf this year. And we pray that more deaf students will be graduating in other fields as we continue.

“Towards this end, Wesley University is collaborating with the Gallaudet University Washington, D.C., in the area of deaf education.”

Obeka said that the institution had a directorate of deaf and special needs education, which had empowered the deaf community and employed more deaf scholars.

The Vice Chancellor added that the university’s management had approved a program to educate all staff and students of the institution that would enable all to communicate with the deaf community of the school.

Obeka also said the institution was also collaborating with Cliff College for its theological education programme.

“Cliff College is one of the international colleges noted for theological programs.

“Wesley University today is one of the universities across the country that offers up to a Ph.D. in theology education programs,

Obeka stated that the institution had infrastructural facilities to make teaching and learning conducive for staff and students.

He said that erudite scholars, entrepreneurs, and other notable personalities across the country would be honoured during the convocation.

Speaking on the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, said that the convocation lecture was scheduled for Friday, November 22, to be delivered by Evangelist Sunday Ogwuche while the conferment of degrees and awards will hold on Saturday, November 23 and the convocation thanksgiving slated for Sunday, November, 24.