The Vice Chancellor of Renaissance University, Ugbawka, Professor Thaddeus Eze, has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, discipline, and moral uprightness while appealing to the Federal Government to increase the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) stipend to reflect current economic realities.

Renaissance University Staffs

Renaissance University Staffs

Speaking at the university during the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Zonal Meeting hosted by the institution, Professor Eze said Renaissance University, founded in 2005 as the first private university licensed east of the Niger, has sustained its unique tradition of holistic education.

According to him, the university operates under the American College system with a fully residential model that ensures all students live on campus in a community-focused environment. He noted that the school fosters an ecumenical faith system, accommodating students of all religious backgrounds while promoting daily moral and spiritual growth.

“We make extra efforts to ensure our students are morally guided, academically focused, and graduate on record time. This is why we have no history of cultism, no strikes, and we maintain a safe and conducive environment for learning,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor explained that the university runs five fully accredited colleges—Law, Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, alongside specialized programmes such as Nursing Science and Medical Laboratory Science. He assured that all courses are approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and relevant professional bodies.

On the state of education in Nigeria, Professor Eze expressed concern about declining quality nationwide but maintained that Renaissance University continues to uphold high standards through qualified staff, quality facilities, and effective student support systems.

Commending the Federal Government for sustaining the SIWES stipend, he, however, called for an urgent upward review. “The stipend has remained static for years despite the rising cost of living. We commend the government’s courage in sustaining it, but we appeal for a reasonable upward review so that students can cope better during their work experience,” he said.

He further highlighted the institution’s long-standing partnership with the ITF, which informed its selection as host of the zonal meeting. He also emphasized the university’s diverse student body, which attracts learners from across Nigeria, producing graduates excelling locally and internationally.

“We are proud of our heritage and the holistic training we give our students. Employers recognize this quality, and they hardly let our graduates go,” Professor Eze added.