The vice-chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Florence Obi, has identified research as a veritable tool for the development of Nigerian universities.

Ms Obi said this during the second Nigeria Conference on Physical Sciences for staff and students of the faculty on Wednesday in Calabar.

According to Ms Obi, no tertiary institution can achieve meaningful development without research, calling on academics to embrace research as a means of contributing to the growth of universities.

She said the conference was timely and unique because the conference came at a time when the university needed research knowledge across the globe.

The VC said the conference would also help to build the capacity of young academics, as part of their continuous professional growth and development.

She said the conference would offer staff and students the privilege to present their papers and carry out researches, especially in contemporary areas.

She urged the participants to be focused to achieve results.

Ms Obi encouraged PhD students to carry out more researches and publish them in reputable journals before graduation.

“We want our students to know that once they come into the PhD programme, they must learn to present their research findings in conferences and publish them in reputable journals.

“By so doing, their capacities will improve and they will go out as the university ambassadors,” she said.

The theme of this year’s is “Physical Sciences: Innovation through Diversity for Sustainable Development.”