UEE Clarifies Affiliate Certificate Issuance Process, Calls For Calm‎

The Management of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE), Akamkpa, has provided clarification on the delay in the issuance of certificates to graduates of its affiliate degree programmes following reports of a planned protest by some affected graduates.

The clarification became necessary to provide the public with the proper context of the affiliation arrangement, correct misconceptions surrounding the certificate issuance process, and reassure stakeholders that sustained efforts are underway to ensure an amicable resolution of the matter.
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‎Before its transition to the University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE), Akamkpa, the institution operated as the Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa, which, as a non-degree-awarding institution, offered degree programmes through an affiliation arrangement with the University of Calabar (UNICAL). Under the terms of the affiliation, academic activities, including teaching, examinations, moderation, and the processing of results, were undertaken by the College in accordance with approved academic regulations, while the University of Calabar, as the degree-awarding institution, retained the statutory responsibility for the consideration of results, approval of successful candidates, and the production and issuance of degree certificates. Although the affiliation arrangement is currently being wound down following the establishment of UEE as a full-fledged university, the issuance of certificates to graduates admitted under the affiliation remains the exclusive responsibility of the University of Calabar.
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‎It is against this background that the University has noted with concern reports of a planned protest by some graduates of the affiliate programmes over the delay in the issuance of certificates required for participation in the forthcoming National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilization exercise.
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‎While Management fully appreciates the anxiety and concerns of the affected graduates, it considers it necessary to place the facts before the public in order to correct misconceptions, prevent the spread of misinformation, and reassure all stakeholders that the University has long fulfilled every obligation required of it and has remained unwavering in its efforts to facilitate a speedy resolution of the matter.
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‎The University wishes to state unequivocally that it has duly discharged all responsibilities required under the affiliation arrangement by forwarding the academic results and records of all qualified affiliate graduates to the University of Calabar within the stipulated timeframe for the processing and issuance of their certificates. Consequently, UEE neither possesses the statutory mandate nor the administrative authority to produce or issue certificates on behalf of the University of Calabar.
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‎This position has consistently been communicated to the affected graduates through official channels. In a statement issued by the University Registrar, Amb. Gabriel O. Egbe, Ph.D., Management reaffirmed that the University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE), Akamkpa had duly fulfilled its responsibility by forwarding the academic results of all qualified affiliate graduates to the University of Calabar long ago for the processing and issuance of their certificates. The Registrar further clarified that the statutory responsibility for issuing certificates to students admitted under the affiliation arrangement rests solely with the University of Calabar (UNICAL), the affiliating institution. Through several official memoranda signed by the Registrar and other approved communication channels, the University has repeatedly informed the affected graduates of the status of the matter while maintaining active engagement with the University of Calabar towards securing the release of the outstanding certificates.
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‎Management further wishes to clarify that the delay in certificate issuance is not peculiar to graduates of UEE. Graduates from other institutions affiliated with the University of Calabar, as well as some graduates of the University of Calabar itself, are equally awaiting the issuance of their certificates. This clearly demonstrates that the challenge is systemic and should not be misconstrued as an issue affecting only graduates of UEE’s affiliate programmes.
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‎Despite not being directly responsible for certificate production, the Management of UEE has remained proactive and committed to achieving a timely resolution. The University has maintained continuous engagement with the authorities of the University of Calabar and has received firm assurances that all outstanding certificates will be processed and released before the opening of the next NYSC mobilization portal.
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‎Furthermore, in demonstration of his commitment to resolving issues relating to affiliate programmes, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar has convened a round-table meeting with the heads of all affiliated institutions. The meeting is expected to comprehensively address issues affecting affiliate students, strengthen collaboration among the institutions, and develop lasting solutions to challenges associated with the administration of affiliate programmes, particularly the timely processing and issuance of certificates.
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‎Against this backdrop, Management is constrained to observe that, considering the progress recorded so far, the sustained engagements with the University of Calabar, and the regular updates communicated to the affected graduates, there appears to be no justifiable basis for the proposed protest. If indeed there are other grievances, such concerns have not been formally brought to the attention of the University Management through the established channels of communication.
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‎All affected graduates are encouraged to continue to utilize the appropriate channels for dialogue and the peaceful resolution of any legitimate concerns. Management operates an open-door policy and remains willing to engage with all stakeholders in the overall interest of the graduates and the institution.
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‎Signed
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‎Agbor, Francis Akobo
‎Public Relations Officer
‎University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE), Akamkpa

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