By EHIGIMETOR IGBAUGBA

The University of Calabar (Unical) Alumni says it has set criteria for the institution’s Vice-Chancellor appointments in order to checkmate crises capable of disrupting the academic calendar.

Mr Paul Ishiemomoh, the National President of the Alumni, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Tuesday.

Ishiemomoh further said that the association would carry out due diligence on all the candidates seeking the Vice-Chancellor’s office.

“We will investigate their past, present, and determine if they meet up with the criteria set out for the position.

“Also, we will be interfacing with the candidates and submit the outcome of the interface to the governing council that will decide on the choice of the Vice-Chancellor,” he stated.

According to the alumni President, the body has already constituted a committee made up of persons with impeccable characters for this purpose.

Ishiemomoh explained that the aim was to ensure that whoever emerged as the VC would be someone with high credibility.

He said that the council was fully aware of a person who should not emerge as the VC as they had written to them, spelling out their criteria to that effect.

According to him, anyone involved in scam, fraud or sharp practices, associated with cultism or cult-related activities should not be appointed.

“Anyone who has been involved in sexual harassment of staff or students shouldn’t be considered.

“We don’t want any time bomb as VC in Unical because when it explodes, the damage will be collateral,” he said.

NAN reports that the current VC’s tenure will come to an end in November and the institution’s governing council has already advertised for the position.

NAN further reports that no fewer than 10 persons have applied to fill the position of the Unical’s VC. (NAN)