The event marked a significant milestone for both the university and the state, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between academia and professional bodies in driving technological advancement.
By UNICROSS Media Team
History was recorded at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) on Friday, April 23, 2026, as the Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey, was formally inducted as a Fellow of the Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE).
The conferment makes her the first female Fellow of the Association in Cross River State. The induction followed a courtesy visit by a delegation of NATE officials, led by representatives of the national and state leadership.
Speaking, Professor Bassey expressed deep appreciation for the honour and acknowledged the Association’s support for the university’s developmental goals. She described the conferment as a collective achievement and commended NATE’s commitment to advancing technical education and manpower development.
The Vice Chancellor reiterated the university’s focus on strengthening academic standards and expanding international collaborations to ensure graduates are globally competitive. She highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance global competitiveness through partnerships with international institutions in China and Cyprus.
According to her, “My team and I are building the manpower of this state by giving a good foundation to our youth; we are crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s with international collaborations so our children graduate with certificates recognised anywhere in the world. We must hit the ground running because faith without works is dead.”
Group photo of members of UNICROSS Management and NATE officials.
Earlier, the Chairman of NATE Board of Fellows, Engr Bassey Inyang, described the Fellowship as a recognition of distinguished service, resilience and contributions to institutional development. He noted that the honour also reflects the Association’s ongoing collaboration with UNICROSS, particularly in advancing technical and artisan training initiatives.
Similarly, the Cross River State Chairman of NATE, Engr Murphy Ekpo, reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to strengthening technical capacity in the state. He highlighted plans to train over 2,000 artisans and emphasised the urgency of equipping young people with relevant technological skills through strategic partnerships and certification programmes.
Also speaking while performing the formal decoration, Engr Ekpeyong Ekpeyong of NATE headquarters, Abuja, disclosed that the Association intends to institute an award for the best graduating engineering student in UNICROSS to encourage academic excellence.
The event marked a significant milestone for both the university and the state, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between academia and professional bodies in driving technological advancement.