Academic and support staff of the University of Buea (UB) have saluted the Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Ngomo Horace Manga for sailing the institution into peace waters amidst several turbulences. They extended their appreciation and goodwill during the 2024 New Year Wishes ceremony on Friday, February 16 at the Dorothy Limunga Amphitheatre- 750.
Through the Registrar, Prof. Eneke Bechem, the university community cited numerous challenges in the past years however applauded the Vice Chancellor for his “uncompromising, diligent prowess and diplomatic elegances” in preventing a ship wreck. She went on to praise Prof Ngomo Horace for ensuring work was done amidst uncompromising security challenges yet maintaining care for lives of staff.
Again, for mobilising the finest intellectual and financial resources against COVID 19, the administrator was likened to Moses in the bible that sailed the children of Israel through the Red Sea.
Holding for the first time in ten years, the ceremony was characterized with handshakes to the Vice Chancellor and gifts for his achievements. Prospects of the institution like the approval of new programmes, promotion of some academic staff and winning of more research grants were enumerated.
The University of Buea can now boast of mentoring 33 higher education institutions. Amongst other things, there exists a University of Buea Corporate comprising the UB Finance, a Microfinance institution and the UB Printing Press.
Prof Ngomo’s counts among other achievements: the creation of a solar energy system, a driving school and a Primary school in the pipeline. Despite the achievements, the University of Buea still has challenges to deal with like insufficient office space, limited student accommodations on campus, insecurity and a financial situation still far from adequate.
The entrepreneurial move is in response to eminent progressive diminishing government subvention in the coming years. For the support, the Prof. Ngomo Horace appreciated the university community for their efforts in the past years. He noted that even with the presence of other state universities, UB still had its place thanks to the unreserved efforts of both teaching and support staff.
“The achievements of our graduates are undoubtedly a reflection of the quality of knowledge and skills acquired here. This gives us reasons of satisfaction that UB as an institution is creatively fulfilling the assignment given to higher education though successive policy documents to produce highly qualified man power to drive Cameroon’s national development goal”. Prof. Ngomo Horace said.
While commending the responsibility of support staff and their leaders against strike actions, he promised those deserving, reclassification. The VC said salary adjustments will be implemented once government makes the funds available. The administration of UB remains optimistic as it continues to strive 30 years on.