UNICROSS Vice Chancellor Drives Strategic Planning Initiative as Deans, Directors and Heads of Department Present Two-Year Action Plans

 

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Professor Francisca Bassey, has continued to demonstrate purposeful leadership and commitment to institutional transformation with the commencement of presentations of two-year strategic action plans by Deans of Faculties, Directors of Directorates and Units, as well as Heads of Department before the University Management.

The strategic exercise, which began on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the Senate Chambers of the University, forms a major component of the Vice Chancellor’s reform-driven administration aimed at strengthening planning, accountability, innovation and institutional development across all sectors of the University.

Speaking during the opening session, Professor Francisca Bassey explained that the presentations were designed to encourage robust discussions, evaluate proposed initiatives and ensure that the strategic plans of Faculties, Departments and Directorates align with the broader vision and objectives of the University under her leadership.

The Vice Chancellor disclosed that prior to her appointment, she had presented a comprehensive five-year strategic action plan to the Governing Council of the University and has remained committed to implementing that vision since assuming office.

Professor Bassey therefore urged Deans, Directors and Heads of Department to emulate her example by developing realistic, impactful and enforceable action plans capable of advancing the growth and competitiveness of the University.

The initiative is widely regarded as a landmark development in the history of UNICROSS, marking the first time Deans, Directors and Heads of Department are making structured PowerPoint presentations of their strategic plans before the University Management as part of a coordinated institutional review process.

The opening session featured presentations by several academic and administrative leaders, including Professor Simon Odey, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Professor Emmanuel Obi, Dean of the Postgraduate School; Professor Francisca Udey, Director of the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES); Professor Ferdinand Kamgba, Director of SERVICOM; Dr. Moses Edim, Director of the Directorate of Entrepreneurship Development Centre; Dr. Oku Ekpenyong Nyong, Acting Director of the Directorate of Renewable Energy; Dr. Obia-Essien Ekpenyong, Director of the Directorate of Alumni Relations; Dr. Stephen Orok Duke, Director of the Directorate of Quality Assurance; Dr. Julius Obidunnu, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Computing; Mr. Maurice Egbaji, Acting Director of UNICROSS Consultancy Services; Dr. Godswill John, Acting Head of the Department of Mass Communication; Mrs. Emekpe Omon, Acting Head of the Department of Visual Arts; and Mr. Cornelius Ellah, Acting Head of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies.

During his presentation, Professor Simon Odey disclosed that the Faculty of Engineering would work closely with the Vice Chancellor and the University Management to support and advance the partnership initiative already facilitated by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey, with the Cross River State Ministry of Human Capital Development for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) towards the establishment of an Innoson Motor Assembly Plant within the University.

He further stated that the Faculty would also collaborate with the University Management in the implementation of the partnership initiated by the Vice Chancellor with the National Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) for the establishment of a NATE Artisans Training Centre at UNICROSS.

Professor Odey also announced plans for curriculum reviews aimed at aligning programmes with those of the University of Cyprus and Zhenjiang College, institutions currently maintaining academic partnerships with UNICROSS through the Vice Chancellor’s internationalization drive and strategic leadership initiatives.

The Dean of Engineering, who also serves as the Dean of Deans, reaffirmed the Faculty’s commitment to innovation, industry collaboration and global academic standards in line with the transformative vision of the present administration.

In her presentation, Dr. Obia-Essien Ekpenyong expressed appreciation to the Vice Chancellor for establishing the Directorate of Alumni Relations, describing the initiative as a significant step toward reconnecting generations of graduates of the institution.

She disclosed that the Directorate has already identified and contacted alumni from the eras of the College of Technology Calabar, the Polytechnic Calabar, Cross River University of Technology and the present University of Cross River State, with the aim of fostering collaboration for the advancement of their alma mater.

According to her, the Directorate is also working closely with the Alumni Association to promote harmony and stronger relationships among all categories of alumni of the University.

She further disclosed that the Directorate plans to offer career support services by facilitating internships and job placements for students and graduates of the University in firms owned and led by alumni.

Similarly, Mr. Cornelius Ellah, Acting Head of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, stated that the Department plans to consolidate on the gains of its recent full accreditation granted by the National Universities Commission (NUC), with the objective of positioning the Department among the leading journalism programmes in Nigeria.

He commended the Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey, for facilitating the procurement of drone cameras for the Department’s photography studio, noting that the intervention has significantly enhanced practical learning opportunities for students.

Ellah further disclosed that the Department intends to collaborate with the Directorate of Entrepreneurship Development to train students in drone camera operations and related media production skills.

He also announced plans for collaboration with the Centre for Educational Services (CES) to introduce short-term journalism training programmes leading to the award of professional certificates to qualified participants.

In addition, he stated that the Department would continue to work with the Departments of Broadcasting and Mass Communication to strengthen Sunrise Radio UNICROSS with emphasis on improved impact, sustainability and commercial viability.

Other presenters also unveiled initiatives and programmes aligned with the developmental vision of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey, whose administration continues to champion institutional reforms, academic advancement and strategic repositioning of the University.

The session equally featured an interactive question-and-answer segment between the presenters and the University Management.

In her closing remarks, Professor Francisca Bassey commended participants for their presentations and reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to strategic planning, innovation and measurable progress across all units of the University.

The Vice Chancellor further announced that the presentations would continue before the end of May for Deans, Directors and Heads of Department who are yet to make their submissions.

— UNICROSS Media Team