By; Patrick Titus, Uyo.
Vice Chancellor of University of Uyo, Professor Enefiok Essien said the institution has between 2015 and 2016 recorded a steady academic calendar and attributed the feat to his open door policy of administration.
Essien who stated this as part of his achievements since assumption of office a year ago, noted that he assumed office when there was a prolonged labour unrest which led to fierce battle between senior staff and management of the university.
According to him, he was able to resolve the crisis through dialogue besides spending time out to meet with campus-based unions such as Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASSU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff Union among others.
On staff welfare, the Vice Chancellor said that he has within the period redressed the injustices melted against some staff of the university by past leadership. This, he mentioned include the recall of the deserving staff from suspension. Promotion stagnated staff, ensure upward review of night allowances paid to staff on local tours while salaries are paid as at when due.
Under the period also, he reversed the expulsion of 150 engineering students who were unjustly expelled from the university, met other students’ needs promptly, thereby calming the palpable tension in the system.
Prof Essien also said that there has been regular meeting of senate, committee of deans, faculty boards, smooth conduct of examinations and timely release of results, as well as hosting of numerous conference and workshops.
Within his one year also as the fifth substantive Vice Chancellor of the University, the institution has entered into several memorandum of understanding with other universities. These include the University of Chicago in United States of America and Lancaster University in United Kingdom.
According to Prof Essien, the international Association of World Peace Advocate has also flagged off the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), describing it as the first in Africa. He said the SDG has 17 goals and the 17th goal is that of partnership with institutions\organisations so as to achieve the other 16 goals.
