It is indeed heart-warming for me, as chairman of the Governing Council, to provide a Foreword to the first Strategic Plan of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. University education in this country has been bedevilled with a number of problems – economic, social, political, environmental, etc, especially the vexed and recurrent issue of poor funding, which adversely affects achievement of the vision, mission and mandates of these Universities. This calls for proper planning.

Objectives of the strategic planning process is the examination and analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the University and the articulation of strategic goals and objectives that will enable the University to actualize its vision, mission and mandates.

I am delighted that our University has articulated this all-important document, which provides an opportunity for this specialized Institution to engage in an on-going process of reflection, review and discussion to ensure that its vision, values and mission continue to respond to changing circumstances.

I sincerely commend the professional and collective approach to the exercise that gave birth to this document. The interest and synergy generated by this exercise is equally commendable. No doubt, these will go a long way to facilitating the implementation of the projects enunciated in the Plan and, consequently, to the achievement of the much-desired excellence in teaching, research and community service.

This Plan has to be adequately funded to realize the laid-down objectives. I urge the Management of the University to vigorously intensify efforts at internal revenues generation. On its part, the Governing Council shall strive to reach out to Government and other stakeholders to improve funding support.

I congratulate the Vice-Chancellor, Management and the staff of this great citadel of learning for this effort at realizing a Strategic Plan for this University.