The management of the University of Calabar (UNICAL ) said it has secured a N6 billion research grant to promote academic excellence in the institution.
The vice chancellor, Prof Florence Obi stated this yesterday in Càlabar while speaking during her 4th anniversary which took place at the University of Calabar campus.
Obi stated that the grant is a challenge for academic staff to redouble their efforts in embarking in research programmes to enable them qualify to assess the fund.
The vice chancellor averred that it is not enough to secure such grants if those who are supposed to assess them do not make quality efforts, stressing that the grants are not meant for disbursement to all faculties for academic enablement.
Obi announced the unbundling of the department of mass communication, with the National Universities Commission (NUC) approval for the department to be upgraded to a full-fledged faculty with Public Relations, Broadcasting, and Mass Communication and Media Studies as departments.
The VC stressed that this step will have significant benefits, including more employment opportunities and a greater number of student intakes.
The vice chancellor enumerated other multidimensional achievements, including the completion of most abandoned infrastructural facilities and the completion of the science faculty block, which has already been renamed the faculty of Biological sciences.
Obi also enumerated the giant strides attained upon assumption of office to include; completion of Education faculty block, , establishment of a fire service station, encouragement of alumni reunion activities on campus and the purchase of a brand new 32 seater Toyota coaster bus.
She said that out of the 39 program of study presented to NUC for accreditation ,35 received full approval of accreditation while the remaining four only secured part time accreditation.
Obi stated that arrangements are in top gear for the setting up of vice chancellor scholarship award for best-performing students in each of the departments to encourage students to focus more on their academic pursuits.
