By Jonathan Ugbal
The Cross River University of Technology has commenced academic activities after about 300 days of lull due to the industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Augustine Angba has appointed two Deputy Vice Chancellors to serve at management level as well as a media team for proper information management.
The resumption followed the adoption of the revised academic calendar developed by the Committee of Deans in consultation with the varsity’s management and other stakeholders at an emergency Senate meeting on Thursday where the VC announced the appointments of the DVCs. An earlier report by this Newspaper that the senate meeting was slated for Wednesday has since been corrected.
The committee, led by Professor Igwe Ewona had debated on several issues including the uncompleted first semester of the 2019/2020 academic session, the second semester of the 2019/2020 academic session, the need to observe COVID-19 protocols, the possibility of virtual learning and the possibility of in-sit learning.
And, the Varsity’s Senate approved a phased resumption. Phase A comprises of 300 level, 400 level and 500 level students who will resume on January 25th to complete registration processes, partake in COVID-19 orientation and get intensive revision classes. Examinations will then commence on February 8th, end on February 19th with the Phase A students proceeding on first semester break on February 22nd.
The second semester for Phase A students will commence on March 1st who will have two weeks to carry out registration and COVID-19 orientation. Also, virtual lectures will commence immediately and will last till April 9th with physical resumption slated for April 12th.
Second semester examinations will then commence on May 24th and end on June 4th. These set of students will then proceed on vacation on June 7th.
The Phase B students which comprises of 100 level and 200 level students will resume to continue the first semester of the 2019/2020 session on February 22nd when the Phase A students are going on break and will use two weeks for registration, COVID-19 orientation and intensive revision classes.
Their first semester examinations will commence March 8th and end on March 19th with the semester break lasting from March 22nd to March 26th.
Phase B second semester will begin on March 29th remotely for students with virtual lectures commencing immediately. They will then resume physically on May 10th for physical lectures which will last until May 20th.
Phase B second semester examinations will then commence on June 21st and end on July 2nd. They will then proceed on vacation on July 5th.
The first semester for the 2020/2021 academic session will commence on on July 19th.
As at press time, staff of the institution were undergoing training on virtual lectures at the New Café complex at its Calabar campus.
Meanwhile, Professors Mary Eyo and Joy Etiowo from the Faculties of Communication Technology and Education were announced as Deputy Vice Chancellors in charge of administration and academics respectively.
It is the first time institution’s history that women will occupy both positions at the same time. Their appointments means the management team which also includes the Registrar and Bursar is complete for the first time in almost two years.
And, earlier in the week, on Tuesday, Professor Angba inaugurated a new media team for the varsity led by Mr. Cornelius Ellah who is the Head, Department of Mass Communication.
The team is to ensure proper information management reports Genuine Reports.
The team is expected to build a positive image for the institution among other responsibilities that management may seem fit to confer on it.
Other members of the team include organizational communication expert, Victor Ndifon, the institution’s webmaster, Echa Emmanuel and development communication expert, Alobo Eba who will serve as the Secretary.