The University of Cross River State, formerly known as the Cross River University of Technology, was established in August 2002 through Cross River State Bill No. 9. It came into being through the merger of three state institutions; the Polytechnic, Calabar, the College of Education, Akamkpa and the Ibrahim Babangida College of Agriculture, Ovonum, Obubra.
Next month, the university will be twenty-four years old. Its first set of graduates emerged in the 2006/2007 academic session, and the alumni association was formed fourteen years ago, roughly five years after that pioneering class walked out into the world.
In the years since, the association has donated books and laptops, run scholarship programmes for some years, renovated university properties, dug a borehole, has an ongoing alumni centre project that has, unfortunately, stalled amid internal crisis within the association, etc. The association is about starting up another small but very strategic project in the university.
The university has so far produced only one professor, and many of its pioneer graduates have yet to reach the peak of their careers. This has, understandably, limited their capacity to give back in the ways they would love to.
It is worth remembering, too, that the university was born from the merger of institutions whose own products are, in many cases, already thriving. As an association, we have reached out to so many repeatedly, hoping to build something together, but most have declined. We hope they will, in time, form an association of their own and find their own way to give back, because we all stand on the same foundation.
As a young association, we are pushing forward and doing what we can. Giving back to one’s alma mater should never be measured only in cash donations or buildings. Helping a university confront its systemic problems and rebuild its very foundation is, in many ways, an even greater act of service. The alumni association has been doing this since its formation. Though young, we’ve seen and heard how our modest efforts have been referenced by even more established ones.
As products of this university, we know we can do more, and we believe we will. We are learning from a more established alumni association but definitely not in competition with any other university or its alumni body. If we compete at all, it will be with our peers, not with long established first, second and third generation universities that have already produced presidents, governors, senators, ministers, and judges at every level.
We are not there yet, but by the grace of God, we will be. We have not started badly, building a foundation is always difficult, but we are moving steadily in the right direction.
Dr Inyali Peter, National President, UNICROSS Alumni Association.
NB: Opinions expressed in this article are strictly attributable to the author, Inyali Peter (PhD), and do not represent the opinion of TheInvestigator or any other organisation the author works for/with.
