Stakeholders in the field of Engineering profession has harped on the essence of development and application of research based results obtained from laboratories and workshops domiciled in ivory towers.
The emphasis was made on the occasion of the 2023 Engineering Faculty Forum Series, organized by the Faculty of Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka held on Friday, 24th November 2023 at the FEG Needs Assessment Building with the theme, “Engineering Program: A paradigm shift from Research to Development and Application.”
In his address, the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Engr. Prof. Solomon Nwigbo stated that the forum was an opportunity for students of the faculty to interact with their lecturers in a bid to hear their challenges and proffer solutions so that the students can be equipped to face their academics and prepare for the society after graduation from school.
In his Keynote Speech, Anambra Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ifeanyi Okoma, MNSE, stated that the goal of the Faculty Forum Series is central for spurring overall economic growth and development of the nation.
Engr. Okoma averred that engineering practice in driving economic development creates facilities and systems for efficient production, distribution, travels, leisure and agriculture.
On his part, the Special Guest and Honourable Commissioner for Health in the state, Hon. Afam Obidike highlighted the impact of healthy living towards productivity in all spheres of human endeavour. The Health Commissioner informed that all and sundry should take their health very serious by eating right and exercising well for their mental and physical well being.
Delivering his lecture, the Guest Lecturer, Rev. Fr. Engr. Jude Chukwuneke, affirmed that Engineering makes almost all things possible by solving real-world problems.
Rev. Chukwuneke emphasized that undergraduate projects in most tertiary institutions are yet to have an impact and offer real life solutions as the practice of Engineering has not yet been fully commercialized in some climes.
The clergy lamented that Nigeria has a shortage of Engineers with COREN statistics of year 2021 stating that there are about 68,000 Engineers whereas one of the Asian tigers such as China has over 42 million Engineers who are well equipped and endowed to solve real-world problems.
In a vote of thanks, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Chairman, Prof. Louis Orakwe eulogized the resource persons who graced the occasion of the 2023 Engineering Faculty Forum Series.
Highpoints of the occasion was award presentation to resource persons and interactive session between lecturers and students of the Faculty of Engineering.
