By Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN—THE authorities of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, yesterday, disclosed that a total of 15,662 students of the University will be awarded various certificates, diplomas and various degrees in its 35th and 36th convocation and 40th founder’s day ceremony scheduled for this weekend.

The joint convocation ceremony which would run from 24th to 7th November, will accommodate the 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 academic session grandaunds.

A breakdown of the figure indicated that 93 students graduated with first class, 2,554 with second class upper, 6,920 with second class lower division and 1,811 in the third class division. Others are 540 post graduate diplomas, 2,092 master’s degree, 109 with doctorate degree, and others.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Osayuki Oshodin, who also disclosed, said the convocation ceremony would be graced by President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that other activities lined up for the ceremony include the founder’s day lecture to be delivered by the founding Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the university’s governing board, Chief E. K. Clark.

To be closely followed by a convocation lecture by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.

Amongst personality to be conferred with honorary degrees are the school’s chancellor, Muhammadu Aliyu Mustafa, FIFA President, Joseph Sepp Blatter, and a post_humus award for former acting secretary of Midwestern State government, late Mr. I. O. Afe.

Other awardees are Muhammadu Barkindo while Aliyu Mustafa will be installed as the 8th chancellor of the institution.

Prof. Oshodin disclosed further that the university had been chosen to host one of the five centers of Excellence in Water Science and Technology sponsored by NEPAD, as well as signing a memorandum of understanding with some foreign universities in Republic of Ukraine, Spain and Chaina.

“Let me add that very soon the University of Benin will be hosting some Academics and Researchers from the Republic of China who are going to be around for up to a period of one year.

I am proud to say that we have made little adjustments to our organogram in order to exploit the full potentials of our institution,” he stated.