University of Calabar is to offer automatic employment to its 12 first class graduates as a reward for hard work and motivation for students of the institution to attain academic excellence.
Prof. Zana Akpagu, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said this on Thursday in Calabar at a news conference on the 29th convocation of the institution.
According to him, the first class graduates are among the 7, 222 graduates of the University during the 2014/2015 academic session billed for convocation on Saturday.
“All the first class graduands are to remain with us; it is the University’s policy and they cut across all the faculties and departments, ‘’ he said.
The vice-chancellor also disclosed that three individuals who had distinguished careers in the service of Cross River and Nigeria would be awarded “ PhD, honoris causa’’ by the University during the convocation.
He said that former Governor Donald Duke of Cross River State would be honoured for transforming Cross River, and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa for her contributions to women.
According to him, Senate President Olusola Saraki would also be recognised for his contribution to the development of Kwara State as governor and to Nigeria in general.
According to Akpagu, the university will graduate 4,868 with first degrees, 952 with Masters degrees and 1,402 with Diplomas.
The vice-chancellor said that during the academic session under review, 30 students were either suspended or dismissed from the University for disciplinary reasons.
“These include examination malpractice, cultism and social other vices.
“This administration has zero tolerance for indiscipline,’’ he said.
Akpagu said that the university retired a Professor and a Doctor, following their indictment by a disciplinary committee set up by management to investigate them over allegations of plagiarism.
