Edith CHUKU
Barely few weeks into Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong’s tenure as the 12th Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar UNICAL, in Cross River State, notable administrative, academic, and institutional changes have begun to emerge, signaling a strong commitment to reform, efficiency, and excellence.
The early impact of the VC are already visible in the areas of training of staff, repositioning the registry department, restoring the standards and safeguard the integrity of the institution.
Offiong also vowed to revive abandoned projects and secure major digital partnership. Upon assumption of duty, the VC outlined a clear vision centered on transparency, accountability, academic excellence, staff welfare, and infrastructural development.
On repositioning the registry, the VC pledged to take decisive actions to correct abnormalities in the Registry Department which he described as the “heart” of the institution.
He made the pledge during the 3rd Registry Day celebration held at the Godswill Akpabio International Conference Centre, where he emphasized his commitment to ensuring the registry functions efficiently and effectively, addressing challenges that have hindered its performance.
Offiong noted that the Registry Day should be a day of sober reflection, a moment to take stock of the department’s successes and failures, strengths and weaknesses, in order to chart a way forward for improved service delivery.
He also stressed on the crucial role of staff in the university’s progress, stating that their inputs can either make or mar the efforts of the current administration, even as he urged staff to be committed and diligent in their duties, underscoring the importance of their contributions to the university’s overall success.
Offiong promised to provide the Registry department with the necessary working tools and resources, enabling it to perform at optimal capacity and deliver excellent services to the university community, while revealing plans to embark on the training and retraining of Registry staff, emphasizing the need for them to be digitally inclined.
He urged staff to acquire computer skills, noting that his administration is transiting from an analog to a digital system, saying it is imperative for staff to be equipped to operate in the new digital landscape.
The vice chancellor also expressed concern over the leak of official university documents to social media, warning that such actions compromise the institution’s integrity, even as he warned that staff found guilty of leaking documents will face consequences, stressing that the era of impunity is over and his administration will take a firm stance on this issue.
The Varsity administrator reiterated his vision to transform the University of Calabar into a world-class institution that meets global standards.
He emphasized his openness to ideas and suggestions from individuals and groups, encouraging stakeholders to contribute to the university’s growth and development.
Addressing the issue of over-admission while receiving officials of the College of Medical Sciences during a courtesy visit to his office at the Council Chamber of the University, the VC said it would no longer be tolerated under his administration, stressing that the practice has come to an end.
He insisted that the reputation of the College of Medical Sciences began to suffer when student enrolment exceeded approved carrying capacities across several programmes.
According to him, his administration was determined to restore standards and safeguard the integrity of the institution, assuring that the university would strictly adhere to admissions approved by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), adding that the central admission process would be fully reinstated to promote transparency and accountability.
Offiong further disclosed that clear and comprehensive admission guidelines would be introduced to determine eligibility into all programmes, even as he assured prospective students and parents that there would be no exploitation, stressing that no money would be exchanged for admission under his leadership.
He also expressed readiness to reorganize administrative culture to revive abandoned projects and secure major digital partnership for a more secure, efficient and technologically driven university.
