Offiong Offiong, the new Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar (UNICAL), says his administration will tackle admission racketeering and illegal mobilisation for national youth service.

Mr Offiong made the pledge on Monday during his investiture as the 12th Vice Chancellor of the university.

He said that his administration would be pegged on transparency, accountability and students’ welfare.

The vice chancellor stated that under his watch, the university would exhibit zero tolerance for indiscipline and would take deliberate steps to address existing administrative and academic challenges.

Mr Offiong described admission racketeering and illegal mobilisation for the national youth service as two issues that had dented the university’s image.

“Our reactivated central admissions committee will strictly adhere to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and NYSC regulations.

“There shall be no sacred cows in our efforts to reposition the institution; any member of staff found culpable of malpractice shall be penalised,” he said.

He stated that the university management would be deliberate about infrastructure development in order to promote learning.

“We shall develop infrastructure, provide better examination spaces, and enhance classroom environment to protect the integrity of assessments.

“We shall expand work-study opportunities, scholarships and partnerships to support indigent students,” he said.

Mr Offiong also expressed the need for extensive community engagement, environmental sustainability and international collaboration.

He commended President Bola Tinubu and the university’s governing council for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the institution.

Earlier, the immediate past vice chancellor, Florence Obi, officially handed over the institution’s mace of office to the new helmsman.

Mrs Obi urged him to remain focused on the core mandate of positioning the university to produce graduates who were well-groomed in character and learning.