By Joy Umo
The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has begun a strategic collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) with the hosting of a one day workshop on introductory perspectives on aviation and security at the New Café, Calabar Campus.
Declaring the workshop open, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey, said the engagement marked the first step in a wider partnership between the university and the military. She noted that the initiative would expose staff and students to the professionalism, intellectual depth and career opportunities available within the aviation and security sectors.
Bassey encouraged participants to take full advantage of the interaction, stressing that the presence of senior military officers offered a rare learning opportunity capable of shaping career interests and broadening academic horizons. She reaffirmed UNICROSS’s commitment to building strategic partnerships, referencing the university’s recent collaboration with Zhenjiang College in China and ongoing efforts to attract quality academic and professional linkages.
Also speaking, the Director of Academic Planning, Professor Hannah Etta, said the collaboration aligns with the university’s mandate of community service, adding that partnerships of this nature help bridge the gap between academia and practical national needs.
The lecture was delivered by Group Captain Frederick Oyenusi, Commander of the 305 Special Mobility Group of the Nigerian Air Force. He highlighted the relevance of diverse academic disciplines to the aviation industry and urged staff and students to engage in research that addresses real life challenges. Oyenusi traced the evolution of aircraft development and pointed to Nigeria’s abundant resources, particularly in Cross River State, as a basis for advancing aviation initiatives.
The workshop featured an interactive session during which NAF officers outlined career paths and opportunities available to students interested in aviation and security related fields.
In attendance were the Vice Chancellor Academic, Professor Stella Maris Okey, the Vice Chancellor Administration, Professor Thomas Ojikpong, the Acting Registrar, Barrister Uno I. Ogban, members of the university Senate, as well as staff and students.