“Our Goal Is to Make James Hope University the Harvard of Africa”
Interview with the Registrar, James Hope University, Dr. Achugamonu Bede Uzoma, PhD, FCA, FCIB, MCSI
As part of a documentary on James Hope University, CEM Television and Continental Economy Magazine interacted with the Registrar of the University, Dr. Achugamonu Bede Uzoma, PhD, FCA, FCIB, MCSI, on the vision of the institution, its academic system, innovation, employability of graduates, certificate security, leadership development and Nigeria’s future. Excerpts:
Question: What is the vision of the founder of James Hope University, Mr. Jim Ovia?
Registrar: The vision of our founder, Mr. Jim Ovia, is to make James Hope University the Harvard of Africa. That vision drives everything we do as an institution, from our academic programmes to our facilities, technology and quality assurance.
Question: As the Registrar, how do you intend to support that vision, starting from admission to graduation?
Registrar: We have designed the university to fit into the schedules of our students, knowing very well that many of them are working-class professionals with tight schedules. That is why we operate a Hybrid Learning System, which allows students to study from any part of the world while attending weekend classes on campus.
Our admission process is seamless, from the admission portal to online screening and registration. I can confidently say that our admission portal is among the best in Africa.
We also have an Innovation Hub built by Spacefinish, the leading innovation hub developer in West Africa. Our library is one of the best in Nigeria with digital innovations that support modern learning.
Our facilities are world-class because we adopted American standards in the design and construction of the university. We equally have a high-standard Research Laboratory where students carry out research and analyse projects.
In addition, our result processing system is highly efficient. It captures every aspect of students’ academic records, enabling students to receive their examination results within two weeks after their examinations.
Question: How is James Hope University guarding against certificate forgery, considering that people do not always believe educational systems are perfect?
Registrar: Our certificates cannot be forged. Every certificate carries unique security codes that make forgery practically impossible. Both our certificates and transcripts are available online for verification, making it easy for employers and other institutions to confirm their authenticity.
Question: You said the founder wants to make the university the Harvard of Africa. How does the university intend to achieve that?
Registrar: Don’t forget that the founder of James Hope University is also the founder of Zenith Bank. Building Zenith Bank into a globally recognised and respected financial institution shows that he is a man of integrity, excellence and high standards.
He is bringing that same culture of excellence to James Hope University, and even beyond. Nigerians should therefore expect nothing less.
Our programmes are fully accredited. Before every examination, experts and professors review our examination questions to ensure they meet industry standards and global best practices. We are not just interested in awarding certificates; we are committed to producing graduates who are employable and capable of solving real-world problems. We are building generations.
Question: How can James Hope University impact the future of Nigeria?
Registrar: We have assembled a blend of faculty members with international experience who are bringing home the knowledge they have acquired across the world.
Changing a nation begins by changing its citizens, and our students are the future leaders of Nigeria. Once they receive quality education and the right values, the system will gradually change.
One of the major challenges facing many African countries is leadership. That is why James Hope University has developed specialised programmes on leadership for government officials and public servants to help strengthen governance and national development.
Question: If James Hope University were invited by the Federal Government to participate in preparing Nigeria’s national budget, which areas would you prioritise?
Registrar: My priority would be human capital development because every nation’s greatest asset is its people.
I would also focus on quality healthcare to reduce the huge amount of money Nigerians spend abroad on medical treatment. Agriculture would receive serious attention because of its importance to food security and economic growth. The power sector must be improved to support industrialisation, while security remains critical to national development.
If we address these sectors effectively, many of our young people who are leaving the country every day will have reasons to remain and contribute to Nigeria’s development.
Also, I will advocate for governments to focus on achievable projects that can be sustained by successive administrations. National development should be continuous and not abandoned whenever there is a change in leadership.
Question: When will James Hope University commence admission of new students?
Registrar: The admission process has already commenced. We are currently receiving applications from prospective students, while academic activities for the new session will begin in September.
For anyone who is passionate about personal development and aspires to become one of the best in life, James Hope University is the place to be. We have created a world-class learning environment that equips students with the knowledge, skills and leadership qualities needed to succeed in today’s competitive global economy. I therefore encourage qualified candidates to take advantage of this opportunity and join us as we continue our journey towards building the Harvard of Africa.
