…as 32 bags first class , 8415 graduate with Bachelors degrees

By Ike Uchechukwu, Calabar

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, UNICAL, Professor Florence Obi has disclosed that the measure put in place by the Institution has drastically reduced sorting syndrome in the school.

She made the disclosure on Moday in Calabar during the press briefing on the 36th Convocation ceremony of the University.

According to her, the narrative has changed, it is now you study to know and no longer sorting to pass examinations.

“That era of sorting to pass is becoming a thing of the past as students have taken the bull by its horns and were living up to their responsibilities by constantly studying.

Professor Obi said out of the 8415 students that will be convocating in the Bachelor’s degree, 32 of them came out with first-class.

She noted that the figure is the highest in the history of the 49-year-old institution.

“A significant number of our students are now living up to their responsibilities, hence the increase in the number of those graduating with first class this period.

“Many know it is no longer business as usual; the measures and policies they referred to as Florence Obi policies are actually those of the University, and they are working for the good of the institution.

“We have also instituted students’ scholarship schemes. These measures among others have made many of them sit up.

“It’s a positive competition that has boosted their morale and many who are currently enjoying the scheme never want to relinquish their position, Prof Obi said.

The Vice-Chancellor further said that no fewer than 25000 students who had issues with their academics were granted amnesty for them to complete their programmes.

According to her, many of the students were withdrawn without knowing same and had spent quite a number of years in the institution without being academically certified as graduates.

“What I did upon assumption of office was to grant these categories of students amnesty to enable them complete their programmes,” she stated.

She said the fight to rid the institution of corruption and corrupt practices was ongoing.