Speaking at the investiture of the VC, Sir Sam Jonah urged the university’s administration to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application. According to him, universities must shift their focus from merely producing graduates with theoretical knowledge to developing individuals who can create, innovate and apply knowledge to solve societal challenges. Sir Sam Jonah also called for stronger collaboration among academic institutions, industry and communities to ensure that research contributes directly to national development. He proposed that UCC establish a faculty dedicated to degree-awarding vocational education, where students would combine academic training with practical experience. He was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC in December 2024 and became Acting Vice-Chancellor in September 2025.