Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong has swiftly moved to address an unfolding academic crisis at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), convening an emergency meeting at the National Assembly to discuss the fate of 392 dentistry students facing an uncertain future due to alleged over-admission.
Reports indicate that UNICAL’s Department of Dentistry admitted students in excess of the quota set by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), putting the academic careers of hundreds of students in jeopardy.
Senator Ekpenyong, describing the situation as “an educational emergency,” chaired the crucial meeting. He was joined by key stakeholders including the MDCN Registrar, Professor Fatima Kyari, the Senate Health Committee Chair, Senator Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo and the President of the University of Calabar Students’ Union Government (SUG), Emmanuel Obo. The primary objective of the meeting was to identify and implement urgent solutions to safeguard the students’ academic progression.
Several key proposals emerged from the discussions: Waiver for Final-Year Students: Consideration for a waiver for final-year students who have already met the requirements for graduation, Infrastructure Expansion: A proposal to expand dental infrastructure at UNICAL through intervention from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). Others include exploring options for affected students to transfer to other medical programs within the university, and commitment to hold a Senate hearing with UNICAL authorities to address the root causes of the over-admission. Stronger MDCN Compliance: A push for more stringent enforcement of MDCN admission quotas and regulations across all universities.
Senator Ekpenyong affirmed his dedication to protecting the future of the affected students, vowing to ensure a resolution to this critical issue. The outcome of these proposed interventions will be closely watched by the academic community and the families of the affected students.
