The University of Calabar, UNICAL has just recorded its highest number of graduates with First Class Honours degrees since its establishment in 1975.
All thanks to the Amazon of Academic Excellence and the Czar of Quality University Education, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, who vowed in her inaugural speech to promote teaching, research and learning at the University of Calabar.
Speaking during a pre-convocation press briefing in Calabar, the award-winning VC explained that the introduction of quality assurance measures helped increase the number of first-class graduates from the institution.
In her words, “We have put in place some quality assurance measures, customised booklets and reduced sorting syndrome in the system.
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“We introduced quality assurance measures and other steps that will make students sit up and read their books and the students sat up.
“Students are now reading and so we have that number graduating with First Class.
“We also introduced a scholarship scheme in all the 110 departments across the school and we expect that the positive competition will be huge subsequently”, Professor Obi said.
The Vice Chancellor also disclosed that the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Rev. Dr. Mathew Hassan Kukah will deliver the 36th Convocation Lecture of the University of Calabar.
She said Bishop Kukah’s convocation lecture will be titled “Harmonising Diversities For National Development”, and will be held on Thursday, 21 March at the University’s International Conference Centre.
She described the Bishop as one man who has given his life not just for the service of God but that of humanity.
Professor Obi also disclosed that as part of the convocation activities, five projects executed largely by TETFund will be inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, alongside some TETFund officials.
She said the projects which comprise three pavilions and two hostels are worth over two billion naira.
Other are about 8,415 students who will earn first degrees, 438 with doctorate degrees and 754 Master’s Degrees.
She, however, said the number of graduands will increase before the convocation day as more results are being turned in.