Graduates of the Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Okuku Campus, have secured prestigious scholarships for postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom, China and Taiwan, demonstrating the academic potential of the university’s alumni and their ability to compete for opportunities at internationally recognised institutions.
The achievements, highlighted in a report by Dr. Boniface Unimke Ati of the department and shared on the WhatsApp platform of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNICROSS Branch, reflect the graduates’ academic excellence, determination and the value of mentorship in advancing their academic and professional pursuits.
Leading the list is Mrs. Francisca Timothy, a 2018 First Class graduate of UNICROSS, who has commenced a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) programme in Biochemistry at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom. She is researching how immune cells combat bacterial infections and how their natural antibacterial mechanisms can be enhanced.
Before securing her place at Oxford, Timothy won the Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarship to pursue a Master of Science degree in Biochemistry at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, where she graduated with distinction (Cum Laude). She is now a Shaun Johnson Memorial Scholar at Oxford, continuing her pursuit of advanced scientific knowledge and research.
Reflecting on her academic journey, Timothy acknowledged the importance of mentorship, meaningful relationships and the ability to recognise and seize opportunities. She encouraged students to look beyond their immediate environment, build supportive relationships with lecturers and peers, and actively pursue opportunities that could advance their academic and professional ambitions.
Another beneficiary, Clancy Otu Bush, graduated from the department in 2021 and subsequently secured the CAS-ANSO Scholarship for a fully funded, three-year Master’s programme in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), China. After completing his national service, he undertook research training at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, broadening his experience in metabolic and behavioural neuroscience.
Bush expressed gratitude to the lecturers who contributed to his academic development, particularly his undergraduate research supervisor, Dr. Melvin Ugwu; Prof. Asuk Atamgba; Dr. Azubuike Okafor; Dr. Dasofunjo Kayode; and Dr. Peter Ujong.
While acknowledging challenges relating to laboratory facilities, equipment and staffing during his undergraduate studies, Bush expressed hope that continued improvements in the department’s infrastructure, staffing and practical training would better prepare students for postgraduate studies and research opportunities abroad.
He urged current students to acquire relevant skills, seek mentorship and actively pursue scholarships and research opportunities, emphasising that their present circumstances should not limit their ambitions or determine their future achievements.
Also securing an international scholarship is Sunday Chukwuebuka, who gained an opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Health at Tzu Chi University, Taiwan. Similarly, Abraham Ogochukwu secured admission and a scholarship for postgraduate studies at UCAS, China, further highlighting the opportunities available to UNICROSS graduates for advanced education outside Nigeria.
Beyond conventional academic pathways, another graduate of the department, Ifunanya G. Eze, has demonstrated the versatility of a Medical Biochemistry degree. Eze, who graduated in 2021, holds a Master’s degree in Cyberpsychology from Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, and is the founder of The Almond Brand and Valexx Pro Technology.
Drawing from her experience, Eze encouraged students to remain confident in their abilities and open to new possibilities.
She stressed that a university degree should serve as a foundation for further growth rather than a limitation, urging students to learn from setbacks, persevere through challenges and continually develop their potential.
The graduates conveyed their experiences and advice to current UNICROSS students through their former lecturer, Dr. Azubuike Okafor. They encouraged the students to remain focused on their academic goals, cultivate relationships that support their growth, embrace opportunities and believe in their capacity to achieve beyond their present circumstances.
Although these achievements predate the assumption of office of the current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Bassey, they align with her vision of positioning UNICROSS as a centre of academic excellence and research while expanding opportunities for students and graduates to excel both locally and internationally.
By Kingsley Agim
