UNICAL VC Promises Transcript Reform, Classroom Upgrade at Maiden Student Town Hall
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, has promised sweeping reforms to improve student experience, including automatic issuance of academic transcripts for graduates and the rehabilitation of the university library, including delineation of classroom spaces.
He made the promise at the Godswill Akpabio International Conference Centre during his maiden town hall meeting with students of the instiution.
Prof. Offiong announced that the transcript unit is being rejigged for effective service delivery, disclosing that, from the next academic session, every student that graduates from UNICAL will receive a copy of their academic transcript without delay, describing it as a bold step to correct past anomalies in the unit.
The Varsity helsman said his administration is student-centered and focused on resolving hostel challenges, over-admission, and other issues affecting academic progress.
Prof. Offiong said the current administration has started addressing challenges in hostels while concerns in departments are also receiving attention.
He noted that the problem of over-admission is being confronted headlong, and that a team from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria( MDCN) is expected soon for the accreditation of the Dentistry Programme.
The Vice Chancellor assured students that the goal of his administration is to create an environment that enables them to achieve their academic dreams.
On infrastructure, the Vice-Chancellor acknowledged that classroom accommodation remains a challenge for the university.
He announced that the library, which contains many classrooms, will be rehabilitated with funding from TETFund and that work will commence in the next few months.
The Vice Chancellor added that UNICAL is also a beneficiary of the Federal Government’s Needs Assessment Initiative, which will further support upgrades to facilities across campus.
The Vice-Chancellor said UNICAL is repositioning itself through international partnerships and has been designated as a Centre of Excellence in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence as well as Cybersecurity Sciences.
He explained that robust collaborations with foreign partners are ongoing to place the university on the global map for academic excellence and innovation.
For student support, Prof. Offiong urged students to take advantage of the Federal Government’s NELFUND loan scheme to fund their studies.
He assured them that all bottlenecks that previously hindered access have been cleared by the university administration.
The Vice-Chancellor urged students to build basic entrepreneurial skills through the Entrepreneurship Development Centre, noting that such skills will position them as job creators instead of job seekers.
Responding to a question on student union politics, the 12th Vice-Chancellor said he has no interest in interfering in the process and believes students should freely elect their own leaders.
" My administration is committed to transparency and the overall wellbeing of students", he added.
