VC COMMENDS TETfund ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT

UBONG INYANG

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Akpagu has commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) for its role in the provision of infrastructure in the University and other tertiary institution in the country.

Prof. Akpagu made the commendation during the commissioning and hand- over of the Academic Publishing Centre (APC) to the University by TETfund.

According to the Vice Chancellor, TETfund has been phenomenal in terms of the provision of state-of-the-art infrastructure, facilities and equipment on campus.

 

The Executive Secretary of TETfund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro and the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, Prof. Zana Akpagu during the occasion of the commissioning and hand-over of the Academic Publishing Centre to UNICAL

Prof. Akpagu who described the APC as an ‘architectural masterpiece’ said the establishment of the centre is timely and appropriate.

While lauding TETfund for conceiving and initiating the project, the Vice Chancellor said a time has come when the institution will begin to emphasize on the dissemination of its research findings through the centre. 

He further commended TETfund for choosing the University to host the facility on behalf of the South -South geopolitical zone, saying quality would be enthroned in the publishing of the institution’s research findings. 

The elated Vice Chancellor said, ‘’ we are proud of the centre and it is competing very seriously to be the most beautiful edifice on our campus. It is a very happy event for us, it is historical and also it is a game changer for us. 

‘’A time has come where we also will begin to emphasize dissemination of our research findings through the APC. We thank you for recognizing that quality has to be enthroned in publishing our research findings.

‘’ I commend the contractors of the project for the high quality of work that has been accomplished here, it is an Architectural masterpiece. We will find out our responsibilities, and roles to be played by our sister universities in the zone so that we participate and share equally from the benefits derivable from this initiative.’’

Prof. Akpagu said the institution would adhere strictly to the guidelines of TETfund in all aspects, especially in academic sponsorship, project monitoring and implementation.

He also promised to apply prudence in order to maximize the funds made available to the institution by TETfund so as to sustain the tempo of infrastructural development. 

This came as he described the reappointment of the Executive Secretary of TETfund, Prof. Suleiman Elias Bogoro as a clear testimony of recognition of his character traits, as a man of probity, integrity and a man who seeks to achieve.

The Vice Chancellor said the institution is reaping bountifully from the second coming of the Executive Secretary, adding that his reappointment has further strengthened the already existing cordial relationship with TETfund. 

He said, ‘’in our climes it is very difficult to be brought back. We are benefiting very seriously from your second coming and we are particularly happy that we have forged a very close and personal relationship with TETfund. We pray your tenure should bring unprecedented and uncommon transformation in our tertiary institutions’’.

Also speaking, the Project Consultant, Arch. Achado A. Austin said the project was conceived as a leading-edge interdisciplinary complex for Academic Publishing, without printing, for tertiary institutions in the South-south geopolitical zone of the country.

He said world class peer-reviewed academic journals, reference books and research monographs are expected to be published from the center.

Arch. Achado, however, appealed to TETfund to add Digital Printing Press Equipment to the facility to enhance the sustainability of the centre.

In his remarks, Executive Secretary of TETfund, Prof. Suleiman Elias Bogoro thanked the Vice Chancellor for his pragmatic leadership, saying he was proud to be associated with his success stories.

Prof. Bogoro who described UNICAL as a great institution said the developmental strides of the Vice Chancellor speaks volumes, adding that TETfund would continue to complement the efforts of his administration for increased productivity.

He said that the establishment of the APC is in tandem with TETfund’s resolve at ensuring standards in tertiary institutions by reviving the publishing and reading culture, which he said, has diminished.

.The Executive Secretary said apart from handing over the centre to the university, TETfund will be providing financial support, on a yearly basis, for the smooth running of the centre. 

He said, ‘’It is very disturbing that in this country publishing and reading culture has diminished , we need to establish standard academic publishing centres in order to ensure standards in our universities’’.

This came as he urged the Vice Chancellor to appoint a director and other competent staff to manage the centre.

The commissioning ceremony was preceded by a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor by the Executive Secretary of TETfund.

Thereafter, the Vice Chancellor led the Executive Secretary on the commissioning of the Faculty of Education building and both Physics and Chemistry laboratories.