ACCREDITATION: UNICAL VC Advocates Synergy Between NUC, Professional Bodies
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi has advocated for synergy between the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) and relevant Professional Bodies during accreditation for the benefit of the university system.
Prof.Florence Obi made the advocacy while welcoming the Engineering Accreditation Committee (EAC)/ COREN team, who were in the Institution on a Professional Accreditation exercise.
Addressing the team which paid her a courtesy visit at the Council Chamber of the University, the Institution's helmsman stated that, “NUC is the regulatory body of Nigerian Universities. A University cannot run a programme if NUC does not approve it”.
She observed that there seems to be conflicting roles, descriptions and prescriptions from different bodies.
"This brings about contentions and makes it difficult for institutions", she added.
The leader of the EAC/COREN Accreditation team, Prof. Remy Uche in an earlier address said that the Accreditation of Engineering programmes is a major mandate of COREN, which is in accordance with the Act setting up the Council.
Prof Remy Uche said it aims at ensuring that graduates of Engineering programmes in Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics and Technical Colleges are sound, functional, and efficient Engineering personnel who have the capacity to compete with their counterpartsanywhere in the world.
Prof Uche disclosed that, COREN in response to the disconnect between what is taught and that which is expected of engineering graduates on the field has introduced Outcome -Based Education (OBE)
The OBE according to the renowned Professor of Engineering who described it as the missing link said it has been adopted by COREN for engineering programmes in Nigeria.
Prof Remy Uche said that necessary tools like the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards and Accreditation Scoring Criteria for Undergraduate Engineering Programmes in Nigerian Universities have been put in place and that structures are being assembled to begin the shift to OBE.
He lauded the Vice Chancellor for her favourable disposition to Engineering in the institution and said COREN has come to work in tandem with her administration to build the Engineering Faculty.
The event was marked with a group photograph.
Public Relations Unit
University of Calabar
