Prof. Francisca Bassey

Prof. Francisca Bassey was born to Efik parents in Calabar, Cross River State of Nigeria. She obtained her primary education in Calabar and proceeded to FGGC Bauchi for her secondary education where she obtained her WASC. Francisca obtained her first degree in 1991, from the University of Lagos and subsequent degrees (PGDM, MBA, M.Sc.) from the University of Calabar and Ph.D, from the University of Calabar in collaboration with University of Georgia, USA. She started her career as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Chemistry in 1994 and is currently a Professor of Organic (Food) Chemistry with the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar. Professor Bassey is currently the Director of Centre for General Studies (CGS) in the University, the first female to hold the position. Barely two months in office, she introduced virtual lectures for all CGS courses, the first in the University to commence virtual lectures. The recorded online lectures were published on a YouTube channel for public access. She successfully conducted a Computer Based Test (CBT) in the first and second semester examinations for all courses in the Centre; the very first CBT held in the University for regular students. She is currently working on introducing biometric registration in the Centre. Professor Bassey was the pioneer Director of the Directorate of PreDegree Program in the University. Prior to her appointment as Director, she was elected to the office of the Deputy-dean of Science where she served for two consecutive terms. During this period, she pioneered the use of Biometrics to check attendance as well as screening of students into examination halls to forestall impersonation by students. She also created the quality assurance unit to ensure best practices by both staff and students. She has held several other positions of responsibility within and outside the University. She has taught and supervised both undergraduate and post graduate students. She pioneered a research niche in the area of Food Chemistry in the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry with emphasis on the formulation of novel weaning foods from locally available ingredients, shelf-life testing of processed food, effects of different processing methods on the Physico-chemical properties/reactions of food, and environmental impact on chemical properties of food with emphasis on Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their associated health risks. This led to the introduction of the Food Chemistry Programme in the Department; she is the first Professor of Food Chemistry in the University of Calabar. Francisca Bassey is a recipient of both the prestigious American FULBRIGHT scholarship (which was hosted in the University of Georgia, USA) and the Federal Government Scholarship for post graduate students, Fellow of the FULBRIGHT Alumni Association and member of various professional bodies including the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON), Institute of Food Technology, USA, Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), Organization for Women Scientist in Developing Countries (OWSD) and many others. She is the pioneer/current Cross River state coordinator of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) also the Vice President of Africa Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO), Cross River State Chapter. She has received outstanding national awards both in Education and the circular world. She is a recipient of the Best Youth Corps Member Award (during her service year with the tactical Air Command, NAF). She has to her credit over 40 scholarly publications, most of which are in reputed international Journals. Francisca has attended and presented papers in reputable conferences both locally and internationally. She has held positions as Associate Editor, Business Editor and Managing of ASUU Science Journal.tor