UNIUYO inaugurates N100m scheme for undergraduates

The University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State authorities have inaugurated a N100m support scheme titled, “The Hope Scheme” for indigent students.

Its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Comfort Ekpo, who stated this on Friday, noted that the money would sustain the initiative, at least, in its first five years.

The initiative titled “The Hope Scheme”, the VC said, was for indigent but brilliant students with Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.5 and above.

According to her, the scheme is to ensure that no indigent but intelligent student drops out due to low socio-economic status.

Ekpo said, “To kicks start the scheme with an estimated number of 500 students, the university would spend a total of N20m in the first one year.

“The amount anticipated to sustain the scheme would increase progressively to a total of N66m at the end of the third year.

“The sum of N100m should sustain the scheme through the first phase.”

The university, Ekpo said, would engage the first 200 beneficiaries for two hours daily on assigned duties in the school.

She added that the students would earn N10, 000 stipends monthly.

According to her, the second phase of the scheme will ensure the provision of N30, 000 grants per academic session to another 200 students with 3.5 CGPA and above.

The VC, who urged philanthropists and corporate organisations to support the initiative, said the Governing Council of the university had already approved N20m for the scheme’s take off.

A 100-level Mathematics student, Mr. Kufre Umoh, who hailed authorities for the initiative, said it was long overdue. According to him, the initiative will go a long way in helping poor but brilliant students with financial challenges

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