21st July, 2015
…promises new hostel accommodation, others
By Kanjal Godshield
The Alumni Association of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has appealed to the governing council, National Universities Commission and other relevant bodies to pave the way for an alumnus of the university to become the next vice chancellor.
The association also pledged its preparedness to revamp the institution by making it one of the best universities in Africa by addressing core challenges facing the students.
Speaking to press men recently, National President of the association, Barr Ugoji Nwabueze said it was high time the jinx was broken for an alumnus to become the vice chancellor.
The legal luminary and lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), maintained that over the years, alumni of the university have contributed positively to the socio-economic and political growth of the nation, insisting that an alumnus vice chancellor if given the opportunity could bring development to the university.
Ugoji said the university was gradually losing its glory hence the association was on the move to make it the best citadel of learning and to put it on the front burner in the continent.
He expressed dissatisfaction on the dwindling glory of the institution, but however maintained that there was urgent need to tackle some of the challenges facing the institution such as lack of hostel accommodation, learning facilities among others.
On the deplorable state of hostels, the president said the association was working out modalities to build a storey building for hostel accommodation.
The president added that the transportation system in the university was an issue that needed to be addressed to ease students’ movement within the campus.
“we are appealing that an alumnus become the next vice chancellor because we have so many qualified persons who have the university at heart in the association, since the institution started in 1975, hostel accommodation has been one of the challenges facing the students and it is very problematic getting one there that is why we are working out modalities to addressing that issue we are partnering with some companies so that we can erect a very good hostel we are also partnering with transport firms to assist our university transport system”. he said
Recall that the current vice chancellor, Prof James Epoke’s tenure would elapse this year and a transition is expected to commence immediately.