University of Calabar secures N6bn research grant for academic staff

Authorities of the University of Calabar have confirmed that it has secured a research grant of about six billion naira as part of strategic effort to promote academic excellence in the 49-year-old institution.

The grant according to the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Florence Banku Obi, presents a challenging opportunity for academic staff to enhance their research effort and qualify to access the grant.

Obi, who disclosed the news at the 4th anniversary of her office, explained that it is not enough to secure such grants if those who are supposed to access it do not make quality effort, adding that the grants are not meant for disbursement to all the faculties in the ivory tower.

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 others of her administration’s achievements to include completion of some abandoned infrastructural projects like the Science Faculty block which has been renamed the Faculty of Biological Sciences; the Education Faculty block as well as the establishment of a fire service station; purchase of a brand new 32 seater Toyota coaster bus among others.

Obi further said that of the 39 programmes presented to NUC for accreditation, 35 received full approval while the remaining four secured partial accreditation.

She also introduced the Vice Chancellor scholarship award for best-performing students in each of the departments as an incentive for students to focus more on their academics while downgrading activities considered pastime.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)