Alumni Homecoming: IPPA UNICAL to Celebrate Legacy and Leadership in Public Policy
By Ndifon Joseph – Calabar
The Institute of Public Policy & Administration (IPPA) at the University of Calabar is preparing to host a grand two-day Alumni Homecoming event. The highly anticipated occasion, billed for October 11th & 12th, 2024, promise to bring together former students, intellectuals, and staff members to celebrate the institute’s legacy amidst meaningful connections.
This event will feature Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, Ph.D, as the Guest Speaker. Known for his extensive experience in public policy, Udeh’s address will undoubtedly enrich the dialogue on governance and administration in Nigeria.
The event will be hosted by Prof. Eucharia N. Nwagbara, the Director of IPPA, whose leadership has steered the institute toward academic excellence. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, will serve as the Chief Host, adding further gravitas to the homecoming.
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The festivities on Day One will begin at 12:00 noon with the arrival and registration of guests. By 4:00 p.m., the event will shift to the sports field with a novelty football match between the alumni and IPPA staff, symbolizing unity and teamwork. This friendly match will be held at Eastern Secondary School, located beside Treasure Land Hotel on Ediba Road, Calabar.
On Day Two, at 3:00 p.m., guests will grace the red carpet at Prestine Villa Events Centre, located at 5 Etetta Ita Street, off IBB Way, Calabar. This glamorous session will set the stage for the main event: the Award and Dinner Night; scheduled to commence by 4:00 p.m., to honour distinguished alumni, faculty members, and other notable contributors to the success of IPPA UNICAL over the years.
In an exciting development, the Senate of the institution, during its 243rd meeting at the Senate Chamber, endorsed the introduction of several new postgraduate programs at IPPA, designed to meet the evolving needs of students and professionals in the fields of public policy and administration, with a focus on gender, development, and planning.
The new postgraduate programs include a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Gender, Development, and Policy Studies, a Master of Science (M.Sc) in Gender, Development, and Policy Studies, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in the same field. In addition, IPPA will now offer a M.Sc and Ph.D in Public Planning & Management.
These programs are expected to enhance the institute’s capacity to produce thought leaders and policy experts who can drive sustainable development at both national and international levels.
With the endorsement of new postgraduate programs, the institute is positioned to continue its tradition of academic excellence, offering courses that are both relevant and forward-thinking. The alumni IPPA unical, many of whom occupy key positions in various sectors, are expected to play an active role in mentoring the next generation of public administrators and policymakers.
