Brief Background & Career
Professor Alice Eta Asim is a professor of Educational Evaluation and the current Director of Quality Assurance at the University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. She holds a PhD. from the prestigious University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Prof. Alice Asim is a wife, mother and grandmother. She is married to Mr. Wilfred Eta Asim and the marriage is blessed with two children, Okang Eta Asim (daughter) and Asim Eta Asim (son).
Professor Alice Eta Asim’s maiden name was Alice Edet Edim. She is the 4th child in a family of 5 children. She is an indigene of Ikpai Omin Clan, in Calabar Municipal, Ejagham Qua Cluster in Cross River State, Nigeria. Her father was a teacher and her mother a farmer. She is a wife, mother and grandmother.
Prof Alice Asim had her first school leaving certificate in 1970 from Akim Qua Primary School where she attended for only a year after spending some years in Our Lady’s High School, Kaduna, then to St Isaac’ Elementary school, Surulere, Lagos. Having returned to her place of origin it was incumbent on her to attend the best female secondary school then. So, the prestigious Holy Child Secondary School Marian Hill, Calabar was where she spent the next 5 years and was one of 2 students who came out with Grade 1 in the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination. After a brief stint at School of Arts and Science Uyo, she proceeded to University of Calabar on Federal Government Scholarship as the first female student to be admitted into the Department of Physics.
After teaching physics, Additional mathematics and General mathematics as a National Youth Corper Service Corp (NYSC) member, she decided to make a career in education and read for M.Ed. and Ph.D. degrees in Educational Evaluation from University of Ibadan. As the best graduating student at the Masters level she was given the option of progressing to the Ph.D. level with the option of not purchasing a Ph.D. form.
She has been a member of the Research Board of Advisors of the American Biographic Institute and was cited in the 9th edition of International “Who is Who” of Professional and Businesswomen.
In 2004 she was the only African among the 5 scholars/recipients of the Commonwealth Association for Science, Technology and Mathematics Educators (CASTME) Award. The award which given in London was for her work on the use of pre-structured concept maps for teaching HIV concepts in primary school science.
She joined the services of University of Calabar in 1998 as Lecturer II, she rose through the ranks and by the time she was being assessed for Senior Lecturer position, her publications were enough to qualify her for professorship, but for fear of setting a precedence, she had to wait for the mandatory 3 years per post. Befittingly, the announcements of her Associate Professorship and Professorship were exactly one year apart 2010 and 2011 respectively.
As a widely travelled academic, she has attended many conferences in Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe and published extensively resulting in over 55 publications in local and foreign books and journals. Prof Asim has a passion for writing and has authored a variety of books which include academic, motivational, children’s stories, and a compendium of over 200 poems.
The book, “Science Poems for Children” which she co-authored as a Ph.D. student with her Ph.D. supervisor, Late Prof. S.T. Bajah in University of Ibadan shot her into the limelight as an Educational Consultant with British Council. Since then, she has been an Educational Consultant to: UNESCO, UNICEF, World Bank, Federal and State Governments of Nigeria, NTI, ETF, TETFUND, etc.
She has taught physics, general and further mathematics, as well as introductory technology at the secondary school level. At the undergraduate level she has taught Educational Tests and Measurement, Research and Statistics, Testing in Counselling, Programme Development and Evaluation as well as supervision of undergraduate projects. At the post graduate level, she has imparted knowledge in Advanced Educational Research Methods, Advanced Statistics, and supervised thirty-seven Master’s and Ph.D. students (25 as Chief Supervisor and 12 as co-supervisor) as at December 2022.
Membership of Organizations/ Associations:
- World Council for Curriculum and Instruction (WCCI)
- Educational Assessment and Research Network in Africa (EARNiA).
- Commonwealth Association of Science, Technology and Mathematics Educators (CASTME)
- Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN)
- Association of Educational Researchers and Evaluators of Nigeria (ASSEREN)
- Nigeria Academy of Education (MNAE)
- Distinguished Fellow, African Academics Network (FAAN)
- Global Quality Assurance Association.
As an ardent Sabbath observer, she was a one-time Secretary Sabbath Association of Nigeria (SBA). She is a member and patron of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) Cross River State Chapter. Currently she is the Cross River State Chairperson of Organisation of African Instituted Churches(OAIC) Women and Children OAIC is one of the 5 Blocks that make up Christian Association of Nigeria.
Outlook On Writing More Books
Prof Alice Asim’s believe is that there are many things to say to people that may give them the needed direction in life, word of comfort, inspiration, or assurance. The easiest way to do so is through books. Books are indelible, they outlive the authors of such books and can reach different continents. Thus, her outlook on writing more books is that she sees all around her things that inspire her to write. There are more books to be completed. According to Prof. Asim, her ink will keep flowing as long as God spares her life.
Prof. Alice Asim’s Message to Ejagham Youths
The first advise to our youths is that they should fear God Almighty. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Humility, integrity, and hard work should be the watchword of Ejagham youths. They should note that I came from a lowly background and today have reached the peak of my career. God who made this possible for me can do it for any other Ejagham child.
Books Written by Prof. Alice Asim
SCIENCE POEMS FOR CHILDREN
BY S. T. BAJAH and ALICE ETA ASIM (1997)
Johnmof Printers Ltd. Ibadan.
This book of poems has been written with children in mind. We believe that science can be taught using different media and techniques. Children of Africa should be given the opportunity to enjoy science. The poems here presented capture various concepts in science. This book provides a melodious example of the integrated approach to the teaching of science. In it both science and poetry are taught in a most entertaining way. Now we want our children to talk science, sing science and act science. This innovative book of Science Poems for Children is accompanied with Teacher’s/Parent’s Guide along with an audio and video cassette.
THE GREEDY MAN OF ADOTE LAND
BY ALICE ETA ASIM (2000)
Mira Publishers, Uyo.
The Greedy Man of Adote Land is the first in my Good Character–moulding Series for Children. This story which is based on happenings in our society is meant to assist parents and teachers in the task of proper child upbringing. The intention of this book is to teach its readers about the dangers and terrible consequences of greed.
It is important to remember that if we train a child in the way he should go, when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22, Verse 6).
INSPIRATIONAL MEMOIRS
BY ALICE E. ASIM (2006)El-
Sapphire Publishers: Lagos
This a collection of inspired poems with commentaries and Bible references. This book contains words of comfort, hope, encouragement, and victory for the young and old. The Holy Bible says, “The devil is roaring like a lion looking for who to devour.’’ You can overcome this devourer through Biblical principles applied as you journey through life.
PRINCIPLES AND TECHNIQUES OF EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION
BY UMOINYANG, I. E., ASIM, A. E., AKWA, A. M. & BASSEY, S.W. (2004).
Helimo Associates: Calabar
Principles and Techniques of Educational Assessment and Evaluation is a main text in the first course in Educational Test, Measurement and Evaluation at OND, NCE, BACHELORS AND GRADUATE Level. It provides the basics for success in this core course in Education. It is a must-read text for pre-service and in-service teachers who
RESEARCH IN EDUCATION: CONCEPTS AND TECHNIQUES
AUTHORS: ALICE E. ASIM, IDAKA E. IDAKA & ENI I. ENI (2017).
Bloann Educational Publishers.
The motivation to write this book came from our contact with both undergraduate and graduate students over a period exceeding 20 years. We discovered a yawning gap in the intellectual armoury of students as they commenced writing their projects/theses. It was for this reason that this concise, illustrative, and easily understandable text has been written for the benefit of undergraduates, graduates, lecturers and researchers in Education and Social Sciences.
RESEARCH CULTURE AND METHODOLOGY IN HIGHER EDUCATION: PERSPECTIVES AND FUTURE TREND.
AUTHOR: ALICE ETA ASIM (2016).
Benue State University, Makurdi, Graduate School Publication.
This Postgraduate Lecture Series No. 5 looks at research as a mandate of higher education. It discusses the steps necessary to arrive at dependable knowledge. Examples from different areas of specialization are used to expatiate on the technicalities of research. Qualitative and quantitative research approaches are differentiated in key aspects. Known ethical issues that can affect the quality of research are addressed. Research data collection instruments and techniques and the likely forms of bias in research have been pointed out. The future of research, in terms of multidisciplinary approach; and handling of big data in research, are highlighted.
BEYOND GENDER FAIRNESS IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT: What Is and What Should Be.
AUTHOR: ALICE ETA ASIM (2018).
WCCI Seminar Series No. 9
This World Council for Curriculum and Instruction (WCCI) Seminar Series No. 9 discussed fairness as a deliberate attempt to avoid bias against or towards individuals because of their ethnicity, race, sex, gender, or any other orientation. Gender fairness in curriculum is ensuring that there is no gender bias against girls or boys during development and implication of the curriculum. The document discusses what needs to be done, pointing out that gender equality has implications for Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship.
EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION IN CONTEXT: FACT-FINDING, FAULT-FINDING AND EXERCISE IN FUTILITY.
AUTHOR: ALICE ETA ASIM (2022).
University of Calabar Press.
This is the 109th Inaugural Lecture of University of Calabar. In this book, the author explains the concepts of educational measurement, assessment, and evaluation; what the present scenario is as regards these terms and what it should be in the context of higher education. The fact-finding, fault-finding concepts are elaborated upon, while an extensive discussion on what may make educational evaluation at the tertiary education level an exercise in futility. The author also shares her research focus in the Educational Evaluation arena in attempt to ensure that the principals of educational evaluation follow global best practices. She also shares her contributions to knowledge economy as a teacher, consultant, and mentor.
CALM IN TURBULENCE
AUTHOR: ALICE ETA ASIM (2019).
Asitech Printers, Calabar.
Everywhere we turn and whatever we watch or listen to show there is turbulence in the world. In such times as we are passing through, it becomes difficult to be focused in life. Though church services and programmes abound, many people still find it difficult to be calm in their spirit. In the quest for inner peace that has eluded the world; many have pursued ephemeral things that cannot guarantee lasting happiness. I am delighted to share with the world the fact that man can still experience calm during turbulence. As an aid in this direction, it is my candid prayer that these inspired verses will give the needed calm in whatever turbulence we experience.
THESIS AND DISSERTATION ABSTRACTS: DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, FACULTY OF EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR.
EDITOR: ALICE ETA ASIM (2018).
Asitech Printers, Calabar.
This book of thesis and dissertation abstracts is the maiden edition of such a publication in the Department of Educational Foundations, University of Calabar. This compilation was born out of the necessity, as the Head of Department, to bring under a single cover, the numerous research outputs from the Department. The Masters and Doctoral thesis and dissertation abstracts are in the areas of: Sociology of Education, Educational Psychology, Research, Measurement and evaluation, and Philosophy of Education. It is believed that this Book of Abstracts will be a useful resource for graduate students and teachers in Faculty of Education of different higher education institutions.
