By Elijah Ugani
A front line contender of the position of the Vice Chancellorship of the University of Calabar, Prof. Benedict Iserom Ita has stated that if appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the institution, he will encourage collaborative researches and form linkages that will enhance visibility and ranking of the institution in line with global best practices.
Ita disclosed this to TheLumineNews on a telephone chat today, Monday 15th, June 2020.
His words “It is my desire to offer public service to my alma mater. I will encourage collaborative researches and create linkages that will enhance visibility and ranking of the University of Calabar in line with global best practices.
“As part of my plans streamlined in the agenda of my administration if appointed by the President and Commander In Chief of the federal republic of Nigeria, Mr. Muhammadu Buhari through the governing council, I will strengthen staff and students relationship, ensure timely promotion and implementation of staff, create alternative means of income generation by leveraging on the Unical Bright Paint Industry to boost the Internally Generated Revenue IGR.
“The university does not exist in isolation, it is therefore my utmost intention to strengthen unions – management relationship with the view to create an effective and conducive learning environment that will be devoid of ranchor and acrimony. I will sustain the already ongoing resource, facilities and structural development. I will attract funds for research and sponsorship as well as training and retraining of staff towards positioning the university to respond to the 21st century demands.
Prof. Benedict Iserom Ita was born on 10th April, 1967 in Aningeje, Akamkpa, Cross River State. He began his education at the Presbyterian Primary School, Akim Qua Town, Calabar, and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1979.
He was admitted into the Immaculate Conception Seminary, Mfamosing, Akamkpa and successfully obtained his GCE in 1984.
Prof. Ita proceeded to the prestigious University of Calabar, Calabar where he obtained B. Sc. (1989), M. Sc. (1994) and Ph.D (2000) respectively in Physical Chemistry.
Professor Benedict I. Ita’s ability to distinguish himself among his contemporaries stems from an uncanny dedication to his calling and profession. By dint of hardwork, he grew step by step and matured into leadership. Professor Benedict Ita began his working career with the Federal University of Technology, Yola as a Junior Research Fellow during his NYSC from 1989 to 1990. He joined the University of Calabar as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, from where he rose through the ranks to the prestigious rank of a professor in 2010.
As an academic/educationist of excellence and a man of integrity, his professional and public life have helped nurture his students at both undergraduate and post-graduate programmes to a logical refinement of their careers and studies.
Indeed, Professor Benedict Ita’s researches and teaching experiences as a scientist have carved a niche for him in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry. Nevertheless, Professor Benedict Ita’s works stands out comparatively with a mixed grill of attributes including but not limited to:
1) Synthesis, characterization and application of nanomaterials in biodiesel production, trapping of pollutants, decolorization of water by adsorption, cement matrix, catalysis, biomedical research, etc
2) Corrosion and Corrosion inhibitions of metals.
3) Solutions of Relativistic (Klein-Gordon and Dirac) equations and non-Relativistic (Schrodinger) equation using various methods.
4) Solutions of linear and nonlinear differential equations using various methods like Homotopy Analysis, Adomian Decomposition, Variational Iteration, Differential Transform, Elzaki Transform methods, etc.
Professor Benedict Ita has served the University in many diverse capacities which includes but not limited to the following:
1). Secretary, Strategic Planning Committee, Faculty of Science, Unical.
2). Head of Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Unical.
3). Chairman, Central Time Table Committee, Unical.
4). Chairman, Committee of Deans, Unical.
5). Chairman, Senate Vetting Committee, Unical.
6). Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Unical.
7). Acting Vice Chancellor, Unical, etc.