President Margee Ensign has welcomed the entering Spring 2022 students and their parents with the assurance that choosing to study at the American University of Nigeria was the right decision.
It was a historic and buoyant moment for the entering students who are joining the community at a time of institutional renewal. AUN, marking its 33rd uninterrupted semester in delivering top-quality education now embraces new students coming from the 36 states of Nigeria, Rwanda, Niger Republic, and Cameroon.
At a full-capacity Convocation and Pledge ceremony held on January 24, President Ensign extolled the merits of the American-style liberal arts education offered at AUN. She pointed out that education here is purposefully designed to develop solutions to local, regional, national, and global problems.
President Ensign took this opportunity to explain to entering students the American style of university education and how it can help them, Nigeria, and the African Continent.
"The American style liberal arts education offers small classes so that everyone can interact, can ask questions; discussion groups so that everyone can test their ideas, bounce them off others; research papers so that everyone can ask new questions and search for new answers, and faculty office hours, so that everyone has a chance to discuss course materials more deeply, one-on-one, with the professor.
"The American-style of education inculcates critical thinking and problem-solving skills and prepares students for leadership and service. That is why we have community service—so that everyone can take what they learn on campus and leave the campus and test what they have learned in the real world, to see if it really applies".
President Ensign said AUN has made a tremendous impact in the region and in Nigeria as a whole, and it remains a reference point for quality and innovative learning and a catalyst for development.
"Based on the US model of engaged university learning, our students have for many years been involved in the community development of many kinds. Our faculty have been at the forefront of cutting-edge development research. Our graduates have gone on to help change the world. Our Atiku Institute is making a massive difference in our community, state, and region".
The ceremony ended with a community oath emphasizing diligence, honesty, and service.