The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, has awarded scholarships to 68 outstanding students who have maintained a CGPA of 4.0 and above.
The scholarship initiative, now in its second year, was introduced in the 2023/2024 academic session with 34 recipients. This year, the number of awardees has doubled, reinforcing the university’s commitment to academic excellence.
Speaking at the award ceremony held at the university’s Senate Chambers, Prof. Obi emphasized that the initiative was designed to challenge students to prioritize hard work over shortcuts to success.
“Thirty-five years ago when I came into the school, all we knew was to work hard and write our exams. But today, when I talk to students about the need to study, they tell you that only a few who study actually pass,” she said. “They tell you that generally, when you study, you fail, but when you sort, you pass. I intentionally needed to change this new standard.”
She further explained that while some may have preferred the scholarship to be awarded based on financial need, her focus was on recognizing academic excellence. The goal is to inspire students to strive for the highest standards and create a culture of healthy competition.
Prof. Obi expressed hope that by 2026, the number of beneficiaries would rise to 100, urging students to see hard work as a rewarding path, regardless of whether the scholarship continues in the future.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Tony Eyang, commended the awardees for their dedication and encouraged them to continue setting an example for others.
Among the recipients was Miss Ugochi Ogba, a 200-level Business Management student with the highest CGPA of 4.92. She shared her excitement about the recognition, revealing that her success came from long hours of studying at night. “I didn’t feel intimidated by the boys, and I hope to be a recipient again next academic session,” she said.
Originally intended for first-year students, the scholarship has now been extended to other levels to foster academic competition across the institution. The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor for her dedication to academic excellence, acknowledging the impact of her leadership in promoting research and scholarship at UNICAL.
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