Walter Nana
Buea, Cameroon
Ursulla Dulvine Njachen is a 20-year-old graduate from the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, UB. At the 18th UB Convocation Ceremony, she distinguished herself as the Best Student with a Grade Point Average, GPA of 3.93, the best so far in the 20-year-existence of UB. In this exclusive interview with Icameroon.com, Ursulla gives some insights of her UB sojourn, the motif for her success and her future in academia.
Read on!
Congratulations Ursulla!!
Thank you and welcome…
How Are you feeling with this splendid result of yours?
Best UB graduate for 2013-2014 academic year, Ursulla Njachen and other graduates at the 18th convocation ceremony
I am happy, knowing that I worked hard for this result. I am also God-fearing and put in all I do in God’s hands. I thank God for His endless graces on my person.
Three years ago, you chose to enrol in the University of Buea, UB, why did you choose the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science?
I like Chemistry so I decided to correlate it with human life. I have not been very good in Biology, I decided to put in some deep interest so as to better understand human life. Since Biochemistry is the chemistry of man, I had to go in for it. That was my first choice, Chemistry second and the third; Mathematics. I settled for Biochemistry because it will help me do both Biology and Chemistry.
Three years in UB, how has the experience been?
It was generally good, though some marks I thought I will get did not come as expected. Like any human endeavour, you will have ups and downs. But UB is actually the Place To Be. If you give yourself the opportunities, it will be the place to be for you. If you come to UB and you are hard working, it will just be the place for you.
Are you happy with the way you were groomed in UB by your lecturers and the administration?
I am more than happy, especially with the quality of advice I had from my lecturers. They told me to always work hard so that I make a new record for UB, which has now come to fruition. The various lecturers were open to me, I had a lot of encouragement from them. I am happy for all what they have done for me and I say big, big thanks!
You were one of the many students in class, why was there this special encouragement for you?
I was going towards my lecturers whenever the need arose. I was not seating behind. I was proactive and finding out how things have to be properly done and how to do better.
What is the study of Biochemistry all about?
It is the chemistry of the human body. It is helpful in many ways but if you stay at the undergraduate level, it will not yield much for you. It is better to continue after your undergraduate level as I have done already. I am pursuing my Masters Degree at the National Advanced School of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, with a specialty in Chemical Engineering. You can also continue in Engineering. There are many applications in Biochemistry; Medicine, Pharmacology, Biotechnology and more. You choose what you wish to do. With a background in Biochemistry, I am finding things relatively easy now at the postgraduate studies.
Staying at the undergraduate level, can one do something with Biochemistry?
It is possible, especially with a minor in Medical Laboratory Studies. You can come out as an assistant technician in the laboratory. You will need some in-house techniques you did not get in school.
Did you see professionalism in the way you were trained in UB, following the Bachelors-Masters-PhD, BMP Concept?
The BMP concept is sixty-percent lecturers and forty-percent students. The students have to give in themselves in their studies. They have to be at the fore of research, do a lot of work on the internet. The spirit of professionalism is there from the lecturers but sometime we were handicapped by the absence of practical materials. We need a lot of practical work to fully go professional. We are in a largely hands-on training, with less theory.
Is there a place in the job market for those of you with a background in Biochemistry?
There is a job market but it is limited. You have to move on to the Masters level and beyond, then you are sure of a good job.
Why do you think you made the difference than any other student in UB for the 2013/2014 academic year?
I do not know whether I was making any difference. It is now that I am being told that I was the best student in UB for the academic year. I think the Lord Jesus Christ helped me in all these. There were some courses that gave me tough times but I will not be dampened in spirit. I will redouble my efforts. I was steadfast in all I do and determined that I will make it in UB, beginning from the day of the orientation, when I got to UB. I told myself I must have a First Class Degree in this university and not just being the best student. I worked hard and put in all I could.
What is your take on this phenomenon of UB graduates organising fastidious parties after their graduation instead of putting those resources into some start-up business venture?
It is good to celebrate but you must ask yourself questions. How worthy is it to spend big money on big parties? Did you really work hard to warrant a big celebration? People have their personality; I am the reserved type and goes unnoticed. Let us celebrate when you do good things and get good results.
Thank you Ursulla and we wish you good luck!
You are welcome!
