By Godwin Otang, Sylvia Akpan And Mary Bassey
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi in her determination to ensure and institute the culture of academic excellence in the University, has stated that the University Senate has approved a sessional award of scholarship to the best students in academics in each department.
The UNICAL boss made this known while delivering her address to the 46th matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the Abraham Ordia Stadium, Calabar where the varsity formally initiated a total of 8,965 students into the citadel of learning.
Welcoming the students and guests, 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 add 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 institution scholarship is for serious students and one can only continue to enjoy it as long as her or she maintains good grades all through their studies.
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 bonafide students of the University.
She urged the students to be acquainted with the rules and regulations of the school while shunning 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 to embrace a worthwhile prize in the end.
She appealed to the students not to hesitate to approach any of the designated professional staff, both in academics and administration for assistance whenever the need arises as it will be of great significance to them.
