Yaounde: JAOF University Institute of Science matriculates fresh batch of students.

It brought together students, staff, parents of the students, founder of J&A Oben Foundation, members of its Board of Directors and a cross section of friends and well-wishers of the institution.

In a welcome address, the Coordinator of J&A Oben Foundation, Malaika Doualla, said in five years of its existence, the Foundation has greatly evolved and keeps impacting communities positively in different ways.

She added that the huge turnout for the matriculation ceremony shows “support to the founders and main funders’ vision, which is to increase understanding of our communities and provide access to good nutrition and entrepreneurship, making malnutrition in Cameroon history and training job creators”. 

The Coordinator of the BTS programme at JHIS, Hessel Joseph, said the matriculation was placed on the prism of success, innovation, prosperity and academic excellence.

He said JHIS is different from other universities because of the quality of training offered. 

“Here at JAOF University Institute of Science, the first thing is accommodation and the second thing is the library; either virtual or physical library. We also have very experienced lecturers,” Hessel said.

He also noted that JHIS provides limited space to enable personalised learning through interactive screens, ergonomic furniture and Wi-Fi connectivity. He also mentioned JHIS’s bimodal training with online and onsite lectures. 

Students urged to be good ambassadors 

On his part, the President of JHIS, Prof Julius Oben, who doubles as Co-Founder and President of J&A Oben Foundation, in his address, said: “For the 2024/2025 academic session, 102 candidates have been offered admission to the JAOF University Institute of Science, JHIS. Being among the lucky ones calls for deep reflections”.

“It may interest you to know that you are the very first set of students to take part in this formal matriculation ceremony, and as pacesetters of this institution, you have a massive responsibility to be good ambassadors. I am admitting you into the membership of this unique community and family, not only in my capacity as the President and Promoter of the JAOF University Institute of Science, but also in my capacity as President and Co. founder of the J & A Oben Foundation which, over the years, has provided the financial and material support to establish your institution,” he told the students.

Prof Oben urged the students to continually remember that the distance between the matriculation ceremony and the convocation or graduation ceremony is quite wide and it is important that the journey ends successfully. 

“For this to happen, you need to be regular in attendance at lectures, carrying out all your assignments, shunning deviant behaviours and other vices that can expose you and others to danger,” he said. 

He noted that: “JHIS has zero tolerance for cultism, any form of hooliganism and corruption. I need to further advise you to show respect to your colleagues and staff of JHIS to make your stay fruitful and productive. Be modest and decent in your dressing and approach to issues”.

Announcing the inauguration of a new building on the campus, billed for December 17, 2024, Prof. Oben urged the students to avail themselves “of these infrastructure and opportunities, not only to excel in learning, but possibly to become our good Ambassadors” 

Taking the matriculation oath, the students pledged to conduct themselves with dignity, honesty, civility and support the mission and vision of the university. 

They also solemnly promised to observe the rules and regulations guiding student conduct and discipline in the university and to study diligently.

About JAOF University Institute of Science

It should be noted that JAOF University Institute of Science, JHIS, is a private institution of higher learning that emphasises excellence and professionalism. 

Its mission is to empower students through innovative education and hands-on experience, cultivating a diverse and vibrant community dedicated to excellence, leadership, and sustainable development.

JHIS offers a curriculum to provide students with outstanding and high-quality training that will keep them competitive in every sphere of life.

The university offers Higher National Diploma, HND, programmes in Medical and Biomedical Sciences; Tourism, Hotel Management and Catering; Computer Engineering; Agriculture and Food Sciences; Arts and Culture; Legal Careers, Business and Finance; and Management.

It also offers Bachelor programmes in Banking and Finance, Management, Computer Science, Health Science and Agriculture. 

At the level of Master’s Degree (which is under the mentorship of the University of Bamenda: University of Dschang (Cameroon) and Murang’a University of Technology (Kenya), JHIS offers programmes in Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Epidemiology, Nutrition in Emergency Situation, Nutrition in Food Industry, Sport and Wellness Nutrition and Nutrition of Local & Functional Foods. It also offers Masters programmes in Audit and Control, Crop Production and Project Management.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3263 of Friday October 18, 2024