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UNICAL VC commissions research laboratory, commends UNHCR ......VC offers scholarships to 10 Cameroonian refugees

 


The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [UNHCR} in Nigeria have been commended for donating an Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory to the University of Calabar.


The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, who gave the commendation shortly after commissioning the Research Laboratory at the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, expressed appreciation to UN Refugee agency for the kind gesture.


Prof.Obi who described the development as a ‘dream come true’ said Unical had over the years craved for a Research laboratory but was not feasible.


The University helmsman said the laboratory will promote medical research and assured UNHCR that the institution would put the laboratory into good use.


This came as she announced that the University will grant scholarships to 10 Cameroonian Refugees as a way of supporting UNHCR in achieving their mandate of providing succor to refugees.


"While we commend UNHCR for this great feat, we also want to extend our hands of fellowship by giving scholarships to 10 refugees.


"You have solved one of our major problems and the University is ready to also support you in the area of education," she said.


The Vice Chancellor added that the institution was looking forward to strengthening ties with UNHCR and would explore other areas of partnership for mutual benefits.


Earlier, the Head of Sub-office, UNHCR Ogoja, Mr Tesfaye Bekele, said the Covid-19 pandemic created a global challenge which saw several institutions struggling to find answers to testing and research for treatment, a cogent reason, UNHCR renovated and handed- over an infectious Diseases Research Laboratory to Unical.


While pledging UNHCR’s continuous support and partnership with Unical, he said the gesture is geared towards promoting effective research in the field of medicine.


Bekele applauded the Vice Chancellor for supporting 10 Cameroonian Refugees with tuition free access to University education, even as he reassured her of continued collaboration to ensure delivery of protection and assistance to Cameroonian refugees and host communities.


The Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, Prof. Victor Ansa, thanked the Vice Chancellor for her support for the College of Medical Sciences, just as he appreciated UNHCR for finding it thoughtful to support research and described the intervention as a worthy venture. 


The Dean of the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Prof. Martins Nnoli, expressed appreciation to the UNHCR for the magnanimity as he cited the challenge of the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which calls for mobilisation and harnessing of all resources to improve research in our academic institutions.


The Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory is comprised of an Reagent Preparation room, Extraction room, Amplification/Detection room, Immunology lab and Mycobacteriology/mycology research lab. 


Beside the remodeling of the space to provide the laboratories, solar electricity and equipment were also provided.

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