The Alex Ekweme Federal University Ndufu-Alike lkwo in Ebonyi State matriculated 5,139 new students on Friday for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Out of the total, 2,364 are males, while 2,775 are females.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Sunday Elom, warned the new students to shun all social vices, such as prostitution and cultism.
He warned that the school administration would not hesitate to expel any student involved in such acts.
He said: “You have come to the university to study; therefore, shun anything that could distract you from reaching your goals.
“We do not condone any form of cultism, examination malpractice, drug abuse,
campus prostitution, sex or money-for-grades, indecent or improper dressing and unruly behaviour on campus.
“The consequences of such acts are rustication or outright expulsion of the culprits from the university,” he warned.
While noting that his administration is determined to help the students succeed in their chosen fields of study, he urged them to report any form of sexual abuse, intimidation or extortion from staff.
“Send text messages and WhatsApp chats to me on any issue affecting your life on campus. I assure you of prompt response and action,” he promised.
According to him, the students were admitted from over 10,000 applicants who applied to the institution.
He said: “In this 2023–2024 academic year, 5,139 freshmen from different parts of the country are joining our rapidly emerging university.
“They should, therefore, be proud of their accomplishments. They earned a place at today’s ceremony because of their outstanding performances at both the Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the Senior Secondary School Examination.
“However, they should also be humbled by the fact that only a little over 5, 000 of them have been offered this opportunity out of over 10,000 candidates that competed for places at AE-FUNAI.
“Hence, they must justify it with good behaviour and good grades throughout their time at this university,” he said.
Professor Elom assured that his administration remains committed to students’ welfare and will continue to improve the accommodation challenges being faced by the students in the school