No University can Overemphasize the Power of Rejuvenating the Human Mind --UNICAL VC
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof Florence Obi has stated that no single individual or institution can ever overemphasize the necessity and power of rejuvenating the human mind academically.
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The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof Florence Obi has stated that no single individual or institution can ever overemphasize the necessity and power of rejuvenating the human mind academically, Myschoolnews gathered.
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Prof Florence Obi stated this in an opening address delivered at the first 2024 Distinguished Lecture Series of the University of Calabar held at the Senate Chamber of the institution
Prof Obi said that the University under her watch cannot downplay the training and retraining of Staff because it is the propagating step in enhancing knowledge and building capacity.
She freely asserted that the Distinguished Lecture Series of the University of Calabar was a platform where distinguished Professors from all over the globe could share their experiences in the institution and also motivate other academics not to relent in their efforts towards the improvement of the education system.
The University helmsman lauded the Guest Lecturer, Prof Vincent Njar whom she described as one " who went out to acquire acknowledge, conquered the innovation system and was willing to share the secret of his innovative education" to improve lives and make progress in developmental efforts.
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Prof Vincent Njar
In a lecture titled " A Journey in Academic Medicinal Chemistry and Oncopharmacology: Biomolecular Therapeutics Approaches in Prostate, Pancreatic and Breast Cancers", the Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA, Prof Vincent Njar elucidated the Biomolecular therapeutic approaches in the treatment of prostate, pancreatic and breast cancers using novel molecules he had developed in his laboratory.
Prof Vincent Njar's emphasis following the trajectory of his lecture was actually on what he called pilot lead molecules that showed therapeutic efficacy against the three cancers namely Galeterone, Ramba and VNLG--152R
Prof Njar described Galeterone as a potent molecule against prostatic cancer, found to be very effective against prostate cancers that were very resistant even after the removal of the prostate adding that it has as a lead molecule successfully undergone clinical trial phases 1,2 and 3,
He further disclosed that Galeterone is doing better comparatively than several known registered pharmaceutic agents adding that Galeterone has been patented and the patent was sold to a pharmaceutical firm already producing anti-prostate cancer drugs.
Prof Njar also spoke of another molecule "Ramba", this second molecule has been developed for the treatment of pancreatic cancers which has also been proven to suppress other cancer cells.
According to the Guest Lecturer, Ramba is derived from retinoid acid, a natural product found in very many naturally occurring compounds like carrot, palm oil and brightly coloured fruits.
The Distinguished Professor drew the attention of participants to the third molecule which he labelled VNLG--152R and described the molecule as being very potent in the treatment of breast cancer tumors though still undergoing clinical trials in phases 2 and 3.
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The Dean of the Postgraduate School of the University of Calabar, Prof Eyong Ubana Eyong commended the renowned Organic Chemist for sharing his insights with the academic community on how the compounds he used were synthesized, their promise, metabolism, toxicity, side effects and the entire medicinal chemistry of the anti-cancer agents and how they function to bring their property as anti-cancer compoundsIn a citation at the event, a former Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, and erstwhile Pro-chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof Rowland Ndoma Egba described Prof Vincent Njar as a Distinguished University Professor and visiting professor to several universities across the globe, recipient of numerous awards, lead inventor on 37 issued US/Foreign Patents, and one whose impact research publications have an H-index of 47 and 19, 499 citations as at October 11, 2023.
The event was marked with a Question and Answer session as well as a group photograph.
