Unical 32nd convocation to begin with Research Fair and Exhibition

Prof. Zana Akpagu briefing the press.

The University of Calabar, Calabar (Unical) will begin the 32nd convocation ceremony with a Research Fair and Exhibition on Thursday April 11, 2019 at the Institution's Exhibition Arena.

Prof. Zana Akpagu, Vice Chancellor of the University stated this during a pre-convocation briefing at the Institution's Senate Chambers on Tuesday in Calabar.

Akpagu who outlined activities for the ceremony said that the Research Fair and Exhibition which was a new development was introduced to showcase the inventions, innovations and research findings of the university.

He said that "We want to use the Research Fair and Exhibition which will be happening for the first time to showcase our selling points in the area of our research findings, innovations, inventions and even academic publications. We want the world to see what we can offer as a University.

"We want to tell the world what we are doing so we can find opportunities to synergize with the with universities. Every department that's ready will have a stand and every aspects, we will have something to show. This is very important to us 

and we feel we should introduce it this time".

He further stated that on same day, the Convocation Lecturer, to be delivered by former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi will hold at 12 noon at the institinstitu's International Conference Centre.

Speaking about the topic, "One Nigeria, One Destiny : The Way Forward ", Akpagu said it was carefully selected to meet Nigeria contemporary issues.

By 6pm of same day, Akpagu said there will be command performance by the department of Theatre Arts and Carnival Studies at the Chinua Achibe Arts Theatre.

On Friday, April 12, according to him, there will be first set of the convocation ceremony for Diplomas, First Degrees and induction into Unical Alumni by the pioneer Chairman of Unical Alumni Directorate.

The grand finale will be on Saturday, April 13th by 9am with the commissioning of some of the projects completed by the Akpagu's administration in the last one year.

Some of the projects include, Ultramodern ICT Laboratory, Faculty of Arts Annex, Faculty of Education Administrative block, female postgraduate hostel, Dental Laboratory amongst others".

Shortly after that will be convocation proper for graduands of higher degrees as well as award of honorary degrees to former Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar, former Cross River State Governor, Dr. Clement Ebri and Dr. Cletus Ilomuanya, CON, Chairman of Igbo Traditional Rulers Council.

While Abubakar is to be awarded Honoris Causa in Public Administration,  Ebri to be conferred a doctorate degree in Political Science and Illomuanya in Business Administration.

The VC further disclosed that the University will be convoking 9,1974 graduands with 51 of them bagging first class honours.

Ha gave the breakdown as "First degrees, 7,782. Five people have first class but 46 others from our affiliate institutions also made first class so the total for first class is 51. 2,356 made second class upper while 4,535 made second class lower. 6,72 will be graduating with third class while 42 have pass.

For Ordinary Diploma, we have 318. You know by NUC standard, we are not allowed as a University to award Ordinary Diploma Degrees but institutes can. So the number you see here are from our institutes.

"Fro higher degrees, we will be graduating 251, PhDs, 602, Masters and 221, Post Graduate Dipolma".