Biography Of Professor Florence Obi, The New Vice-Chancellor Of UNICAL
The University of Calabar governing council has elected a new vice-chancellor (VC) in person of Professor Florence Obi from the faculty of Education in the above mentioned institution.
Professor Florence Obi emerged winner among other contestants numbering more than ten. She has emerged as the first ever female vice-chancellor (VC) University of Calabar has ever produced.
She will take over from outgoing VC, Prof. Zana Akpagu, whose tenure ends on November 30, 2020.
There are somethings you have never read about her, in conjunction with UNICAL Matters, a complete biography among other facts of Professor Florence Obi are clearly listed below..
Ever since the advent of university education in Nigeria, the system cannot boast of producing up to 15 substantive female vice chancellors, either from the public, faith-based or private institutions. Teaching and learning industry is generally perceived as female-dominated field, but this trend changes within the career trajectories of women as their representation begins to decline in a higher academic environment, and more so at senior management level.
On Thursday, September 10, the governing body of the University of Calabar surprised the world as the produced the first ever female Vice Chancellor since it’s inception in 1975. We take a look at the full Biography of the record breaking super woman set to handle affairs of the University of Calabar.
FAMILY AND BACKGROUND
The new Vice Chancellor elect professor Florence obi hails from bansan osokom in Boki local government Area in cross River State.
She is married with 4 children and 6 grandchildren.
ACADEMIC TIMELINE
St. Bridget’s Primary School, Ogep Osokom, Boki, Cross River State, F.S.LC. 1969
St. Thomas’s Teachers Training College, Ogoja; Cross River State, T.C. 11 1983
University of Jos, Jos Nigeria; B.Ed(Hons) Special Education, 1988; M.Ed. Special Education, 1990
Jordan Hill College of Education, Glasgow-Scotland; PGCEE, 1993
University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria; Ph.D Psychology of Education, 2002
ACADEMIC CAREER
She began her academic career as an Assistant Lecturer at the Institute of Education, University of Calabar in March 1990 (30 years ago).
Two years after her appointment, with her utmost desire to foster a bold and innovative spirit in faculty teaching and academic excellence, she won a 6-months postgraduate scholarship to Jordan-Hill College of Education, Glasgow, Scotland, under the World University Service (WUS) World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in a keenly contested interview for staff of the Institute of Education.
On her return from the United kingdom, she was placed in charge of the WWF/NCF funded schools and Community Education Programmes.
She subsequently facilitated the development of the degree programme in Environmental Education of the University, which has since resulted in the establishment of a full-fledged and flourishing Department of Environmental Education.
Professor Florence Banku obi later rose to become a Professor of Special Needs Education in 2007.
POSITIONS HELD
Permanent Member of the Senate, University of Calabar since 2007.
Member, University Central Accreditation Committee, University of Calabar, 2006-2008.
Chairperson, Housing Loan Implementation Committee, University of Calabar, 2011-2015.
As Dean, she pioneered the take-off of 22 affiliate programmes of the Federal College of Education, Obudu, Cross River State and the Federal College of Education, Kastina-Ala, Benue State to the faculty of Education of the University of Calabar.
Professor Florence Banku Obi had also served as the Chairperson of University of Calabar International Demonstration School (formerly called University of Calabar International Secondary School) where she left lasting physical legacies to her credit.
Following her credibility, integrity and commitment to service, she was voted as the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) by the University Senate.
As DVC Academics, she was also a member of the University Governing Council, where she brought her wealth of experience to bear in the growth and development of the University.
Professor Florence served as honourable commissioner, ministry of women affairs and social development and member of cross River State executive council in 2007.
AWARDS
Professor Obi is a recipient of many Awards/Honours, including the Student Union Government, University of Calabar, “Award as the most student friendly Dean of the Faculty” in 2014.
From all of us at E&E Technologies, the parent company of Brainnews, we say a big congratulations to Professor Florence Obi on her new role as the tear-rubber vice-chancellor of University of Calabar (UNICAL).
