The Acting Director of Pre-Degree Programme, University of Calabar, Dr. Virginia Ironbar has stated that the Pre-Degree program was meticulously established to provide a solid academic foundation to the students enrolled into it NEGROIDHAVEN has confirmed.
Dr. Ironbar said this during the 2023/2024 academic session’s Pre-Degree Orientation Exercise held at the Institution’s Centre for Educational Services (CES) Hall.
She said the step initiated towards the attainment of higher education by the students is commendable, stressing that, for them to achieve their aim, they must show dedication, eagerness to learn and the desire to stretch their limits.
She advised that though the road ahead may appear challenging, the students should know that they are not alone, saying, “you are entering a vibrant community of individuals who share your aspirations”.
While describing the Pre-Degree Programme as a bridge to any chosen degree program in the University, she Informed that the programme has experienced and dedicated teachers and staff who are ever ready to help uncover the full potentials of the students.
She said for this Orientation Exercise, seasoned and experienced resource persons have been carefully selected to address and guide them on the right path to success as they pursue their dreams of becoming University undergraduates. 
Dr. Ironbar thanked the Vice Chancellor and the University Management, as well as Staff of the Directorate of Pre-Degree for their invaluable contributions in bringing the Orientation Exercise to fruition.
In her remarks, the he Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi advised the Pre-Degree students to take their studies seriously describing the programme as a stepping stone for their academic progression.
Welcoming the Pre-Degree students to the University, Prof. Obi described the University as a Centre of Excellence, urging them not to water that status down.
Here her, “I want you to take this programme seriously. It is a stepping stone to your academic progression. Because you did a Pre-Degree, you will be preferred to others who just wrote JAMB. But you have to have good grades to justify your admission. We don’t want to water down the system.
“It is a one-year program and it’s either you pass or you fail. If you do very well, you can get admitted into your chosen course of study, even Medicine and law.”
She urged the students to be humble and get acquainted with the rules and regulations of the University, shunning all forms of anti-social activities, saying they have no business in such activities.
Similarly, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Angela Oyo-Ita who spoke on “Effective Study Strategy” admonished the students to make their phones serve them and not the other way round.
She urged them to do everything possible to pass their exams with good grades by studying very hard and asking questions in the areas they have difficulties
The Director of Academic Affairs, Pst. Gabriel Osang said the university has given the Pre-Degree programme five hundred admission slots provided they get the required scores, this is even as he also urged the students to study hard.
The event featured other presentations by officials of the Pre-Degree programme, as well as, representations from various Departments.
