The school of Social Development and Occupational Therapy (SOSDOT), in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital had her second set of graduands for her Professional Diploma training program, on Saturday, the 30th of September 2023.
The school’s cordinator Mrs. Stella Derri, during her opening speech stated the need for social works to be handled by trained professionals, in the society, a provision which the school (SOSDOT) offers, in River state. She recognized the presence of the Chairman Joint Schools Board, Prof. Datonye Alasia and appreciating the support of the board. She further congratulated the graduating students and thanked them for their corporation during their training. Mrs Derri highlighting their roles as professional care givers in the society, urged the graduands to be good ambassadors and representatives of the school.
The Head of department UPTH social welfare Mr. Wilfred Tende also collaborated the essence of the course with coordinator as he explained that Contact and Connection has been established amongst trainees and their trainers. He assured the graduands of unwavering access to their trainers to share challenges and ideas. However, he expressed his worries about the rate at which graduates travel out of the country after the training and appealed for graduates to stay back and serve the nation with what they have acquired in training rather than being swift to move with their certificates. He encouraged them to encourage friends and relatives as well as interested members of the public to enroll in the next Batch which comes up in the month of November 2023.
The Chairman Joint Schools Board, Prof. Datonye Alasia, during his welcome Address congratulated the students for their commitment and performance and urged them to be worthy ambassadors of the institution . Prof. Alasia also disclosed that the schools board is working on expanding the program to degree level, as well as advancing the course with international affilliation.
One of the graduating student, who served as class governor, Mr. Adolphus Charles, on behalf of his colleagues acknowledged that they acquired not only knowledge in course of the program, but also experience which will enable them become excellent social service providers to humanity.
A total of 39 students were presented with professional diploma certificate for the second batch graduation of the school of social development and occupational therapy.
