The Faculty of Engineering, University of Calabar, may soon be upgraded and revitalized following a proposed partnership between the institution and Lafarge Nig. Plc.

Indications of the upgrade was brought to the fore when the former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke led some key officials of Lafarge Plc to pay a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor in her office.

While thanking the Vice Chancellor for affording them the opportunity to interact with her, Donald Duke said the need to place Engineering Faculty on a higher pedestal for effective service delivery informed his decision to broker the partnership between the institution and Lafarge Plc.

He said the partnership which would be of mutual benefits is also geared towards reviving the Engineering Faculty as well as produce competent engineers that can compete favorably on the global stage.

According to him, the partnership will expand the frontiers of knowledge in Engineering, adding that, Lafarge will adequately train engineering students so that the institution would be proud of the quality of engineers they produce.

‘’ The engineering faculty will receive a major boost because Lafarge Plc will adopt it as their training ground. The faculty will stand out among other faculties in the institution’’

Also speaking, the Country Head, Lafarge Plc, Aliyu Maa’yi thanked the Vice Chancellor for the warm reception, adding that Lafarge is keen to partner Unical to upgrade the Engineering Faculty to what he described as ‘Lafarge School of Engineering’.

He said he will create a framework to look into the proposal with a view to identifying areas of challenges.

The Country Head reiterated that the establishment of the Lafarge School of Engineering in the institution will stand the test of time, maintaining that, it would serve as a training ground for engineers.

His words, ‘’ Lafarge is keen to partner with Unical on this project. We envisage a future where the Faculty will produce competent engineers.

‘’ We also hope for a mutually beneficial partnership that will transcend the current University administration’’

Responding, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Florence Obi commended the former Governor for facilitating the partnership between Unical and Lafarge, describing him as a ‘great achiever’ who has showed so much interest in the development of the institution.

She said since the establishment of the Engineering Faculty, it has been grappling with a lot of challenges, adding that, the proposed partnership will boost the fortunes of the incipient faculty.

‘’ We are very happy to partner with Lafarge Plc and we are hoping that the partnership which is expected to last more than 10 years will avail the faculty the capacity to stand on its own. We really count on your support because the young faculty needs urgent attention’’, the Vice Chancellor added.