By Ikenna Nwokedi
The Faculty of Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, on Thursday, 11th July 2024 paid a courtesy visit to the institution’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ikechebelu.
In his remarks during the visit, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Solomon Nwigbo thanked the Vice-Chancellor for receiving his team from the Faculty despite his busy schedule. The Dean informed that the Faculty shares in his hedgehog concept of HPS Squared translating to ‘Happy Productive Staff’ and ‘Happy Progressive Students.’ He highlighted some of the recent achievements of the Faculty which includes 100 percent score recorded in the last accreditation exercise by the NUC.
Prof. Nwigbo noted that the Industrial Production Engineering Department has the best laboratory in the country from the last exhibition and also disclosed that as a way of keying into the ‘BLESSED UNIZIK’ vision of the present administration, the Faculty is complementing the effort of the University for energy through the Electronics and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department who are in the forefront of Green Energy which will save resources for the institution and ensure the students of the Faculty are resourceful after graduation.
Prof. Nwigbo thanked the Acting VC for the efforts being made towards recommencing and completing a section of the uncompleted Faculty building project while also advocating for approvals for training of the Faculty’s technical staff.
On his part, the immediate past Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Joseph Nwabanne affirmed that Engineering as a Faculty is a family which strongly believe that she will benefit from the present administration. The scholar highlighted some challenges of the Faculty stemming from the unbundling of the ECE Department in need of more equipment and staff as well as the Department of Petroleum Engineering who are shortchanged in both manpower and equipment. He also disclosed that the Faculty has done extremely well in the past couple of years in Inter Universities CODET competitions and other programmes in the country.
Responding, UNIZIK Ag. Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ikechebelu affirmed that Engineering as a Faculty has no doubt projected and raised the image of the University through their achievements both in Inter Tertiary Institutions’ competitions, teaching, research, innovations and discoveries.
Prof. Ikechebelu disclosed that his administration will support and enhance the Faculty in breaking more boundaries and notable achievements. He informed that the “BLESSED UNIZIK” vision is poised towards achieving his HPS Squared Concept of ‘Happy Productive Staff’ and ‘Happy Progressive Students.’ He thanked the Faculty for keying into his vision and showing solidarity towards his administration.
In a vote of thanks, Prof. C.C. Okezie thanked Prof. Ikechebelu for receiving the Engineering Family, the scholar described his appointment as an act of providence, she prayed God for wisdom and strength in carrying out the duties of the office while pledging the support of the Faculty towards his administration.
Also present during the courtesy visit were Professors of the Faculty, Directors and Deputy Directors in various Units and Directorates, Heads of Various Departments and the Faculty Administrative Officer.
