Ahead of the November 1, 2010 commencement of academic activities at the Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, the senate of the institution has been inaugurated.

The pioneer senate members consist of; the vice-chancellor, deputy vice-chancellor, heads of campuses, deans of faculties; directors of institutes, heads of departments, professors, university librarian and persons holding such appointments on the staff of the university as may be specified by the vice-chancellor in the time being.

Inaugurating the senate, the pro-chancellor, Dr. Okon Eminue, charged the management to uphold the vision of the founding fathers by bequeathing to posterity, the legacy of a modern world-class and state-of-the-art institution, which would rank as one of the best in Sub-Saharan Africa, along the Gulf of Guinea.

Dr. Eminue stressed that it was necessary for the senate of the institution to be put in place so that it could legally discharge its statutory academic functions as embedded in section 9(c) of the Akwa Ibom State University Law 2009, "which stipulates that it shall be the general function of the senate to organize and control teaching in the university, admission to undergraduate and post-graduate courses, other admissions, the discipline of students and project research at the university.

While congratulating the senate members on their appointments, Eminue urged them to uphold and enforce the National Universities Commission's (NUC's) minimum academic standards and other international academic best practices, but without losing sight of the provisions of the Akwa Ibom State University Law 2009. He called on them to ensure that senate deliberations were conducted in an atmosphere that encourages cross-fertilization of ideas, free expression of opinion; including voices of dissent, and impassionate examination of issues, rather than one characterized by "group-think syndrome", whereby every position adopted by the vice-chancellor could be considered as sacrosanct and adopted uncritically.

The pro-chancellor appreciated the state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, for inaugurating the governing council of the university and for personally leading the rescue mission to collect license of the university to operate as the 34th state university in Nigeria. Eminue noted that the university was ranked in the fourth International Colleges and Universities Web Ranking in Nigeria in 2010, as the 32 out of 73 universities in Nigeria, even when the maiden AKUTECH did not take off. He advised the management to keep the dream of academic excellence alive in the institution.

The vice-chancellor and chairman of the senate, Professor Sunday Petters, in an address assured that the management would strive to ensure academic excellence and safety of the environment. He listed some of the functions and rules of the senate to include, academic control, entry examinations, teaching, examination and award of degrees including honorary, halls of residence, students' welfare, staff development and mode of dressing.

Professor Petters assured that the senate would ensure the implementation of the rule of law and justice, downplay ethnic as well as sentimental considerations in the institution. The university, he said, would inculcate the virtue of discipline and stand against anti-social behavior among staff and students. Professor Petters maintained that the plan to commence lectures in the University was a relief to all stakeholders and commended the hard work and dedication to duty of the management and staff.