By Patrick Titus, Uyo
Any staff of the University of Uyo found guilty of sexual harassment or indulging in cultism within the University will be dismissed within 24 hours. New Vice Chancellor, Professor Christopher Ekong has assured.
Ekong, who spoke on Tuesday during his investiture as the 9th Vice Chancellor of the University, said that where a panel is set up to try such offenders, the panel would not sit beyond 72 hours.
He also pledged zero tolerance to insecurity in all the campuses of the University by introducing cutting edge technology including CCTV cameras, log-in biometric capturing to secure the institution.
The new VC said his administration would introduce biometrics capturing to determine the actual number of staff and students as well as conduct a comprehensive institutional audit of infrastructure, finances, human resources, academic programmes and administrative systems.
“We have zero tolerance for sexual harassment and cultism. The panel will not sit for more than 72 hours, and any one involved will be shown the way out of the University.
“Within the first 100 days my administration will intentionally introduce Biometrics capturing to know actual number of staff and students on ground and for access control, conduct a comprehensive institutional audit of infrastructure, finances, human resources, academic programmes, and administrative systems.
“We shall ensure zero insecurity outcomes in all the campuses of the University; block all vulnerabilities in securing the University; introduce cutting-edge technology including CCTV cameras, drones, log-in biometrics to secure the University; open robust participatory relationship with host communities to secure the University,” Ekong said.
He added that his administration would outsource the management of key facilities like hostels and lecture theatres to facility managers for sustainable management of the facilities, adding that his administration would also ensure 24/7 internet access for staff and students of the University.
While noting that work on internet provision in the University has already commenced on the full digitization of the ICT infrastructures in the University, the VC also promised to keep the campuses clean by cutting grasses, landscaping, beautifying with art designs on the walls, gates and buildings in the University, as well as refurbishing dilapidated buildings while maintaining existing good ones.
“We shall outsource the management of our key facilities like hostels and lectures theatres to facility managers for sustainable management of the facilities.
“We will ensure 24/7 internet access for staff and students of the University. Work on robust internet provision in the University has already commenced on the full digitization of the ICT infrastructures in the University,” he said.
In his remarks, the chairman and Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Dr. Muiz Banire commended the VC over his emergence through a competitive process, urging him to overlook his detractors during the process of his selection.
“The journey to this day has not been smooth. It has been turbulent and, at times, traumatic. A lot of challenges accompanied the arrival of the Acting Vice-Chancellor and, indeed, the process leading to the emergence and appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor,” he said.
“Mr. Vice-Chancellor, I urge you to overlook your detractors and forgive those who opposed your emergence. Do not allow yourself to be distracted by their antics. I travelled the same road and survived it through focus, patience, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to duty.
“There is no room for revenge, and there is certainly no time for it. The task ahead of you is enormous. This is however not to suggest that where remedies are desirable, it should not be done.”
The outgoing acting VC, Professor Samuel Odewumi in his remarks advised the new Vice Chancellor not to waste much of his time looking back but move on with the task of transforming the university.
