The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi has identified research as a veritable tool for development in Universities, saying that her administration would always accord priority attention to research.
Prof. Florence Obi stated this during the 2nd Nigerian Conference on Physical Sciences for staff and students of the Faculty with the theme, ‘’Physical Sciences: Innovation through Diversity for Sustainable Development’’ held at the New Chemistry Auditorium of the Faculty.
According to her, no tertiary institution can achieve meaningful development without research, just as she called on academics to embrace research as a means of contributing to the growth of Universities.
While describing the conference as ‘timely and unique’, the Vice Chancellor said the importance of research cannot be overemphasized, adding that the conference is coming at a time where the University is seeking visibility and wanting to share research knowledge and results of other people’s researches across the globe
Prof. Florence Obi said the conference would also help to build the capacity of young academics especially in research, as part of their continuous professional growth and development.
She said the conference has offered staff and students the privilege to present their papers and carry out researches especially in contemporary areas, even as she charged all participants to be focused in other to achieve results.
Prof. Obi commended the Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences for promoting research especially among undergraduate and postgraduate students. she used the opportunity to encourage Ph.D Students to carry out more researches and publish in reputable journals before graduation.
According to the Vice –Chancellor, “we want our students to know that, once they come into Ph.D programme, they must learn to present their research findings in conferences and publish them in reputable Journals by so doing, their capacities will be improved because they go out as the University ambassadors.”
She congratulated the Faculty of physical Sciences for recognizing their own staff that have contributed to the development of the Faculty and commended the Dean for bringing them out for recognition as a way of motivating them.
In his remarks, the Dean, faculty of physical Science of the University of Calabar, Professor Ayi A Ayi said, the conference such as this provides a valuable opportunity for research scientists, industry specialists and decision-makers to share their experiences.
According to Prof Ayi, at the end of the conference, sources of knowledge would be accessed and additional knowledge would be created and capacities upgraded for the growth of the institution
The event also featured keynote addresses by two erudite professors- Prof. Samuel Okon Inyang and Prof. Nneoyi Onen Egbe.
Highlight of the event include the presentation of awards of honour to some professors in recognition of their contributions to human capital development and advancement of the faculty.
