Introduction

Historical Background of the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies

The Ignatius Ajuru University of Education grew out of the former Rivers State College of Education during the 2009/2010 academic session which prior to this period has been an affiliate of University of Ibadan.

The Department of Religious and Moral Studies as it was originally known was one of the second generation departments to be introduced shortly after the establishment of the then Rivers State College of Education in 1971. The Department came into being in 1975 under the pioneer headship (Leadership) of now Rev. Professor N.S.S. Iwe; an erudite theologian, philosopher, sociologist, lawyer, historian, educationist and a versatile scholar of Religion. The initial programme ran by the Department was the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE). Other programmes were later introduced.

Philosophy

University Vision

Ignatius Ajuru University of Education is envisioned as the most suitably structured, resourced and mandated agency with potentials for engendering, sustaining and refining, through all foreseeable educational futures for Rivers State, a dependable supply of suitably prepared graduate manpower stock for maintaining a pre-tertiary educational system which is modelled in governance, system management, formal in structure, curriculum realism, research productivity, support services, global networking, institutional repute, and school leaver worthiness in learning and character.

University Mission

The mission of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education is therefore to justifiably acquire and accountably utilize all the needful input resources for realizing through pre-service preparation and sustaining through in-service training and retraining, a pre-tertiary teaching profession which is erudite in knowledge, proficient in instructional practice, and ethically mature at work and inter-personal, parental, guardian, and industrial relations.

Aim

University Objectives

The objectives of the university are to:

• Provide facilities for and to engage in the teaching and learning in education and related disciplines with particular reference to the needs and aspirations of the State and for the purpose of producing graduate and non-graduate teachers.
• Produce teachers in technical, science, humanities, social-science, management sciences and other related fields for development programmes in education.
• Assist in the industrial and other development programmes through consultancy services, special project centres and related activities.
• Encourage the advancement of learning and to hold out to all persons without distinction of race, creed, sex or political conviction the opportunity of acquiring higher and liberal education;
• Provide courses of instruction and other facilities for the pursuit of learning in all its branches, and to make those facilities available on proper terms to such persons as are equipped to benefit from them;
• Encourage and promote scholarship and the conduct of research in all fields of learning and human endeavours;
• Relate its objectives to the social, cultural and economic needs of the people of Nigeria, and
• Undertake any other activities appropriate for a university of the highest standard.

Admission

Staff