WE ARE POISED TO INTRODUCE NEW PROGRAMMES, DEAN SAYS The Dean and Board Chairman, Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) University of Calabar, Prof. Ayara Ndem has revealed that the faculty is working out modalities to commence New Programmes and Departments to aid curricular expansion and boost the image of the Faculty. Prof. Ayara who doubles as Chairman, Committee of Deans disclosed this during the 170th Faculty Board meeting of the Faculty of Social Science hinting that arrangements have reached an advance stage for the approval of a programme in Demography and Development Studies. The Chairman further said that the Department of Sociology is working out modalities with the Faculty of Education to also introduce a B.Sc. programme in Psychology for expansion of the faculty. Prof Ayara made reference to Psychology in UNILAG as the biggest programme in Sociology which later develop into a department of its own urging Heads of Departments to put in place all necessary machinery that will help to present more new programmes and departments at the next senate. He informed members that other new department/programmes which were introduced have taken off with recent admission of students hinting that B.Sc. in Peace and Conflicts Studies is ready to absorb students that may be rejected from other department. The Dean said his mission is to make the faculty “bigger and better” evidenced in the creation of a new faculty which is an added advantage while informing that 35 members of staff from the Departments of Geography have moved to the Faculty of Environmental Sciences. According to him, “it is a step in the right direction” hinting that the faculty as one of the 3 initial faculties in the University has earlier produced the Faculty of Management Sciences, and now the Environmental Sciences. While stressing that the faculty will continue to give support to the newly created faculty, (Environmental Sciences), Prof Ayara said that in 2015, FSS had five departments, but two additional departments (Social Work and Tourism) were created to make the faculty bigger. He commended the Department of Public Administration for being one of the fastest growing departments while urging speedy development of new programmes in Criminology and Security Studies. Highlight of the event was a review of the faculty’s achievements and challenges from 2015 to 2018 as well as celebration of newly promoted professors including Prof. Takim Ojua, Prof. (Mrs.) Agnes S. Antai, Prof G. E Edame, Prof. E. E. Enang amongst others.