By Wilson Adekumola
The Management of the University of Calabar has terminated the appointments of about twenty Graduate Assistants drawn from across various departments in the institution as it promoted thirteen professors and twenty two associate professors.
According to Vanguard, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Florence Obi made this disclosure at the 234th Senate Meeting of the University held at the Senate Chamber of the institution announcing the promotion of thirteen professors and twenty two associate professors to the professorial cadre in the Institution.
The Registrar of the institution, Mr Gabriel Egbe, handed over letter of termination of appointments to the affected teachers.
While explaining that the reason for their layoff was due to inability to complete a master’s degree within the four years as stipulated in their conditions of service, the Registrar said that the affected staff are said to be in contravention of Section 3.9.3 (iv) of the 2014 Regulations Governing the Conditions of Service of staff of the University of Calabar.
“It is worth noting that the aforementioned section stipulates that ‘if a Graduate Assistant fails to obtain a Master’s degree after four years, the appointment of the said staff shall be terminated”. The Registrar stated in the sack letters.
It was gathered that the affected staff are said to have spent between five to nine years post-appointment without evidence of having acquired a Master’s degree within the period of their engagement.
The affected staff were, however, advised to return all university property in their possession to their respective heads of departments and tender evidence of being cleared of any indebtedness by the Bursary and the University Librarian before their final disengagement.
