Fifteen years after their graduation, the 2009 medical class from the University of Calabar gathered in Calabar to donate N15 million for the completion and equipping of the university’s medical centre during the 37th convocation lecture and UNICAL at 50 award ceremony.
Dr Betta Edu, an award recipient and new inductee into the UNICAL Hall of Fame, announced the donation on behalf of her classmates.
She praised the federal government’s efforts to enhance education through initiatives like the Student Loan Fund, suggesting that such measures would positively influence the nation’s economy over time.
Dr Edu expressed confidence that the student loan and other federal initiatives would lead to the emergence of capable graduates from UNICAL who would contribute meaningfully to society and drive economic growth, including advancements in digital processes.
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Earlier, Prof Eka Ikpi Braide, who chaired the event, pointed out the disconnect between academic research and its societal impact.
She noted that while universities excel in teaching and research, they often neglect their public service responsibility. She urged institutions to emphasise community service as part of their mandate, warning that the country would remain stagnant without a connection between research findings and real-world applications.
Braide stressed the need to translate university knowledge into actionable policies, emphasising that many of the nation’s challenges stem from a failure to integrate academic work with real-world needs.
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