UNICAL Secures N6bn Research Grant To Promote Academic Excellence
- Vice-Chancellor Obi lists achievements to mark 4th anniversary
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The University of Calabar (UNICAL) authorities have confirmed securing a research grant of about six billion Naira (N6bn) as part of conscious efforts to promote academic excellence in the 49-year-old institution.
According to the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Florence Banku Obi, the grant presents a challenging opportunity for academic staff to enhance their research efforts and qualify to assess the funding
Prof Obi, who disclosed the cheering news at the 4th anniversary of her Vice chancellorship, explained that it is not enough to secure such grants if those who are supposed to assess it do not make quality efforts, adding that the grants are not meant for disbursement to all the faculties for academic enablement.
She also announced the unbundling of the Department of Mass Communication with the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) approval for the department to be upgraded to a full-fledged faculty with Public Relations, Broadcasting, Mass Communication, and Media Studies as departments.
The Vice-Chancellor said such a fit would attract significant benefits in terms of more employment opportunities with higher student intake into the University.
She listed her administration’s other multi-dimensional achievements as the completion of most abandoned infrastructural development projects including the Science Faculty block which has been renamed the Faculty of Biological Sciences; the Education Faculty block; establishment of a Fire Service station; encouragement of alumni re-union activities on campus; and the purchase of a brand new 32 seater Toyota coaster bus.
Obi further stated that of the 39 programmes presented to NUC for accreditation,35 received full approval while the remaining four only secured part-time accreditation.
Going forward, she announced the introduction of the Vice Chancellor scholarship award for best-performing students in each of the departments as an incentive for students to focus more on their academic pursuits than frivolities while in school.
