UNICAL TO AWARD SCHOLARSHIP TO BEST STUDENTS IN ACADEMICS... MATRICULATES 8,956 FRESHMEN
By Hannah ARIKPO
In her determination to ensure and institute the culture of academic excellence in the University, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi has stated that the University Senate has approved a sessional award of scholarship to the best students in academics in each department.
The University Administrator made this known while delivering her address to the 46th matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the Abraham Odia Stadium, Unical.
Welcoming the students to the citadel of learning, Prof. Obi described the University as the “home of culture, knowledge, civilization and application of knowledge for sustainable Development".
She expressed happiness that the matriculants have laid a good foundation by choosing the right path of life to follow instead of venturing into frivolous activities like betting, that adds no value to one's life.
While harping on the institution's motto: “knowledge for Service” as a basis for refining freshers to showcase their competencies in the world after graduation, she noted that, the University scholarship is for serious students and one can only continue to enjoy it as long as he/she maintains his/her grades all through their stay in the university.
According to her, after a diligent and successful screening exercise where a total of 20,250 students applied for admission into the University for the pursuit of knowledge, only about 8,965 candidates, have been admitted and are registered as authentic and bona-fide students of the University.
She urged the students to be acquainted with the rules and regulations of the University while shuning all forms of anti-social activities such as cultism, rape, sexual harassment, fighting, stealing or drunkenness.
This is even as she reaffirmed that her administration would continue to show the students how the academic race should be run in order to embrace a worthwhile prize in the end. Prof. Obi used the occasion to encourage the students not to hesitate to approach any of the designated professional staff, both in academics and administration for assistance whenever the need arises.
