By Walter Wilson Nana
For the first time in English speaking Cameroon, Medical Doctors have been trained and certified to practice across the world from the University of Buea, UB.
The graduation of 53 medical students from UB’s Faculty of Health Sciences, recently, was the major highlight of the 17th Convocation Ceremony that took place at the Open-Air Amphitheatre.
3 of the 12 PhD graduates of the UB 17th Convocation Ceremony
UB’s Vice Chancellor, Dr Nalova Lyonga said it is nothing else but a special ceremony sending out the first batch of medical students, who have the options to either care for the people out there or kill them.
She described the Convocation Ceremony of 3,406 graduates, who have been found worthy to go out to the world or pursue further studies as a harvest out of the vineyard. “These graduates are predominantly of good quality,” she noted.
Cross section of pioneer graduates from UB's medical school take their oath to practice as medical doctors in & out of Cameroon
Nalova Lyonga lauded the support from MTN Cameroon, Orange Cameroon and those who introduced Endowment Prizes like that of Mr Eric Ngwa, in memory of the pioneer Registrar of UB, Dr. Herbert Nganjo Endeley, who died in 2006 when the Medical School started and Prof. Emmanuel Nges Chia who announced a memorial prize in honour of his late wife, Alice Chia, for the best student in Management. These two Endowment Prizes in UB, will be awarded next year when they get mature.
UB Professors process into the convocation ground
The Secretary General of Cameroon Medical Council, Dr. Atangana Bidjocka joined his voice to that of Nalova Lyonga and other speakers, inviting the pioneer medical students from UB to be accountable and focussed in their newfound job, which is that of giving care and hope to humanity.
UB’s Pro Chancellor, Prof. Maurice Tchuente, representing the Minister of Higher Education, Prof. Jacques Fame Ndongo, announced that funds will be made available for the completion of the Faculty of Health Sciences buildings, while handing over FCFA 3 million on behalf of the Minister for the UB Development Fund.
He said construction for a permanent site of the Faculty of Engineering & Technology will soon begin in the UB campus.
Tchuente praised the UB VC and her team for instilling good manners within the students’ milieu and upholding the triple missions of UB -teaching, research and outreach.
The Professor of Mathematics highlighted government’s intention to professionalise higher education, citing the good example of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
While prescribing increasing dialogue and peace within the ranks of students, support staff, teaching staff and the UB administration, Tchuente advised the students of UB and the graduates to be leaders of today and tomorrow and avoid to crash in a second after the huge investments they have built across the years.
In a discourse on the theme; Cameroonian University Of The 21st Century – The Economic Atmosphere, Prof. Walinjom Muna said African universities should evolve from the post colonial structures and get into the classic role of the university.
He mentioned that the graduates from the universities of the 21st century should be able to market themselves and catch-up, very fast with the new trends.
The Professor of Medicine, who has to his credit over 100 publications, told the graduates to strive for excellence and be proud of their background from UB, be proud as Cameroonians and Africans in general.
He said Cameroon still has much to do in the development of the health sector but he congratulated UB for making a significant contribution.
In his valedictory address, Fabrice Neba Abunde, best graduating student for the 2011/2012 academic year with First Class Honours in Biochemistry and a Grade Point Average, GPA, of 3.74 on a scale of 4.0 said there is joy in success but it comes with hard work, self discipline and belief in God. “It is also about being at the right place at the right time,” he added.
While he promised to be a good ambassador of UB like the rest of his fellow graduates, Neba raised the worry of inadequate infrastructure in the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Study Opportunities Abroad
As the UB graduates look forward to foster their studies on a national and global platforms, Peggy Atanga of Study Opportunities Abroad, S.O.A, a Cameroonian institution with headquarter in Yaoundé, who were officially part of the 17th Convocation ceremony, said they are accredited to some universities and colleges in the UK and Canada to bring career and study opportunities closer to Cameroonians. “We’re working on an MOU with the authorities of UB to bring in some of our partners who are ready to offer scholarship opportunities to UB students and graduates,” Atanga said.
