•Third year scorecard of AE-funai VC
By Elom Iyke Ubochi
It was on 11th February, 2021 that Sunday Oge Elom, a Professor of Medical Biochemistry assumed office as the 3rd Vice-Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State with the vision of consolidating, sustaining and expanding on the achievements of the two previous administrations of the university.
As a man who went through the ranks in the Nigerian university system, and later became a Vice-Chancellor, he was adequately prepared for the onerous task of leading a 21st century institution. Having led the university through change in his first and second years as Vice-Chancellor, his 3rd year in office could be summarized as a ‘relentless pursuit of excellence’ in every aspects of the university’s life.
It is the firm belief of the Vice-Chancellor that the biggest brands in the world are built on authenticity. Thus, with his eyes on the goal of making AE-FUNAI a world-class university, he ensured that the teaching, research and community service activities of the university were carried out with excellence and integrity. No wonder, the university has achieved the reputation as one of the emerging top educational brands in Nigeria and Africa.
Under his watch as Vice-Chancellor, AE-FUNAI has also sustained its reputation as one of the most serious public universities in Nigeria that offers quality education geared towards equipping students with relevant functional knowledge and sellable skills to be competitive in a globalized knowledge-based economy. This is underpinned by the quality of the institution’s graduates and the research outputs of its academics.
Effective leadership, therefore, is not underscored by the importance of a position one occupies but by the positive impact a leader makes in the life of his organization and the people he leads. Consequently, as Prof. Elom marks his 3rd year as the Vice-Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State on 11th February, 2024, we will beam the searchlight on some of his landmark achievements in the period under reference. They include:
Accreditation/reaccreditation of academic programmes
The core values of the university are excellence, integrity and entrepreneurship. These values are brought to bear in the robust academic calendar, cutting-edge and bespoke academic programmes and curricula of the institution, which are delivered by seasoned academics and other consummate professionals and astute administrators meant to turn-out thorough-bred graduates in various disciplines. Nevertheless, it is worthy to note that without accreditation of programmes by relevant government and professional bodies, achieving the objectives of setting-up a university would remain far-fetched. Thus, in 2023, 29 academic programmes of the university were presented to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for either accreditation or reaccreditation. While the result of the exercise is still being awaited, it is instructive to note that all the academic programmes of the university have the approval and accreditation of the relevant agencies of government like NUC and professional bodies such as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) etc. This is the catalyst that ensures that students are graduated on schedule and subsequently, mobilized for the National Youth Service Corps Scheme every year. For instance, in 2023, a total of 1,697 graduating students were mobilized for service.
Global visibility/ranking
One of the fundamental achievements of the Vice-Chancellor in his 3rd year in office was the massive recognitions the university garnered from international ranking and rating institutions. Prior to his assumption of office, AE-FUNAI was not ranked by global bodies like Times Higher Education and such other high profile bodies. Instances of the rankings in 2023 will suffice.
AE-FUNAI was ranked 3rd among Nigerian universities in the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking of World Universities. The Times Higher Education Impact Ranking measures global universities’ success in delivering the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Goals (SDGs) in the discharge of their core mandates – teaching, research and community service (outreach), and stewardship. A further breakdown of the 2023 ranking shows that the university was ranked 1st amongst government-owned universities in Nigeria, while it was further ranked 1, 021 out of 1,591 universities that were ranked globally.
In the maiden edition of the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Universities Ranking, 2023, AE-FUNAI was ranked 27 in Nigeria and 71+ in the African continent out of 121 universities that contributed data. In fact, the university was among the 51 universities in Nigeria that were ranked by the renowned London-based education body. The Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Universities Ranking methodology is based on five pillars: resources and finance (20%), access and fairness (20%), teaching skills (20%), students’ engagement (20%) and Africa impact (20%).
2023-2024 Best Value Universities Ranking: In the 2023-2024 Best Value Universities Ranking released by Study Abroad Aide, AE-FUNAI was recognized as one of the top 100 best-value universities in Nigeria. Study Aide Abroad is the most comprehensive database of universities in the world, and the organization is based in South Korea. The university was also placed among top 60 per cent best-value universities in the world in the last two years, out of 8,060 private and public higher educational institutions in 69 countries that were assessed. The ranking is based on indicators like quality of academic activities, reputation of the university as well as affordability by candidates.
AD Scientific Index 2024 Universities Ranking: AD Scientific Index, a renowned global academic data-gathering body based in Turkey in its 2024 Universities Ranking rated AE-FUNAI 35 out of 257 universities in Nigeria; 216 out of 1, 115 universities in Africa and 5, 160 out of 17, 846 universities in the world in academic citations
Academic expansion
In 2023, the National Universities Commission (NUC) approved the establishment of seven new academic programmes for the university with effect from the 2023/2024 academic session. The approval was given after the commission visited the university for resource verification. With this approval, the university expanded the number of its academic programmes from 58 to 65, giving opportunities to more candidates to enrol into the university and qualified Nigerians to be employed.
The new programmes are: Medical Laboratory Science; Nursing Science; Human Nutrition and Dietetics; Public Administration; Computer Science Education; Economics Education and Technical Education with options in Mechanical Education, Building Technology Education, Woodwork Technology Education, Computer Science Education and Automobile Technology Education.
Culture of seriousness
AE-FUNAI is regarded as one of the most serious public universities in Nigeria. That is why parents and candidates prefer the university as their destination for admissions into higher institution. In fact, the university is one of the most sought-after public universities South-East of Nigeria, in spite of its relatively young age. Instances of the institution’s seriousness is underscored by the following:
Maintenance of a stable academic calendar: This leads to the graduation and mobilization of graduating students for NYSC programme on schedule and on a yearly basis. In fact, AE-FUNAI has no backlog of potential candidates for the NYSC.
Committee on students’ grades verification: As part of its quality assurance mechanism, after every semester, a committee set up by the university reviews the scripts of students. This is predicated on the need to protect the integrity of students’ grades, and by extension the authenticity and sanctity of the academic certificates of the university. Inauguration of a committee on proper dressing: The Committee is charged with the responsibility of sensitizing staff and students on the importance of proper and appropriate dressing, especially while on campus. The policy on proper dressing has been adopted by so many universities in Nigeria.
Time Management: The University under Prof. Elom emphasizes and adheres strictly to time in all its events and activities. ‘African Time’ is not condoned as the Vice-Chancellor leads by example.
Research and development
The university has a strong and robust research policy coordinated by the Directorate of Research and Development. This encourages individuals and departments to embark on meaningful and life-changing research works that have been acknowledged worldwide. Some examples include:
The Faculty of Agriculture of the university is partnering with the Cooperation for Holistic Agriculture and Innovation Nests in Sub-Saharan Africa (CHAIN), a project funded by the European Union through Erasmus + scheme, geared towards modernising agricultural education in Nigeria, Togo and Kenya by fostering a more holistic and human-centred approach to agricultural education, training and innovation Engr. Anadebe Valentine Chikaodili of the Department of Chemical Engineering was ranked among the top 500 researchers in Nigeria by SciVal. He was rated 385 in the publication.
A Professor of Drama and Critical Theory, Department of Theatre Arts, Ameh Dennis Akoh was appointed the Chairman, Panel of Judges for the Nigeria Prize for Literature, 2023.
Dr. Okechukwu Pius Aghamelu of the Department of Geology emerged the first Nigerian engineering geologist of the year. The award was conferred on him by the Nigerian Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment ((NAEGE) in September 2023, in recognition of his extraordinary performance and achievements over the years in the field of Engineering Geology in Nigeria.
Dr. Peter Chukwunonso Okoli of the Department of Chemistry was elected the 7th President of the Nigerian Young Academy. He was elected at the 13th General Assembly (GA) and Annual Conference of the organization held at Edo State University from 15th to 18th August, 2023. The Nigerian Young Academy is a unified platform for interaction among brilliant young researchers in Nigeria (not above the age of 40 years at the point of entry) who are from various research disciplines and regions of the country
Functional partnerships
AE-FUNAI under Prof. Elom is breaking new frontiers in the area of international collaborations even as efforts are being made to sustain and expand on existing ones. The university benefited from some of the partnerships in 2023 in the following areas:
Partnership with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) on Blended Learning: AE-FUNAI is one of the six universities in Nigeria and Ghana participating in the programme. Through it, some staff and students of the institution were trained and certified on the use of blended learning techniques for teaching and learning.
Bi-Institutional Collaboration with Tub University, Germany: This led to the travelling of three staff of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (Engr. Prof. O. O. Ugwu, Engr. Dr. P. Onochie and Engr. Chukwuemeka Ozor to Germany for 2 months (10th May to 10th July, 2023) sponsored by the European union Erasmus + programme.
Partnership with the University of Gavle, Sweden: Six students of the university were in Sweden for a six-month exchange programme. They are: Nwankwo Glory Ezinne,; Nwaogwugwu Rejoice; Kalu Amarachi; Otti Euphemia, Alozie Chiememeka Steven and Njuabe Jude Njong,. Also, three staff of the university benefitted from the programme. They are; Prof Augusta Chinyere Nwajiuba; Dr. M.O Binuomote, and Dr. Ijeoma Kalu Awa.
Campus-green initiative
The main goal of the Campus-Green Initiative is to build a campus-in-a-garden that will enthrone one of the most beautiful and eco-friendly campuses in Nigeria. Some specific steps taken in 2023 to push the goal forward were:
Inauguration of the AE-FUNAI Green Village on 6th July, 2023 to preserve and promote the cultural and environmental heritage of the University Continuous tree planting campaign, leading to the planting of over 20, 000 fruits and ornamental trees in 2023.
Planting of over 30, 000 fast-growing timber trees at a reserved area, meant to generate IGR for the university in the next 20 years, and to combat climate change in the interim.
National/international students’ competitions
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State continued its dominant performances in national and international universities’ competitions in 2023. The AE-FUNAI Debating Team is currently ranked as the best in Nigeria in public speaking and sits amongst the top 5 in Africa.
Pan African Debating Championship: AE-FUNAI came 4th in Public Speaking at the 2023 Pan African Debating Championship held at the Université de̒ Lome, Togo from 2nd to 11th December, 2023. The competition which drew students from over 100 universities in about 20 African counties like South Africa, Rwanda, Ghana, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Cameroun, Kenya, Zimbabwe and others saw the AE-FUNAI Debating Team led by Igwebuike Chiagoziem Johnmark, a 400 level student of Biotechnology, Nwele Stanley Chiemerie, a 300 level student of Law and Oko Charity Joan, a 400 level student of Foreign Languages, making the university and Nigeria proud.
All Nigerian Universities Debating Championship: Oko Charity Joan of the Department of Foreign Languages, emerged the overall best in Public Speaking at the 10th edition of the All Nigerian Universities Debating Championship held at Veritas University, Abuja from 27th August to 3rd September, 2023. Oko emerged the overall best public speaker in Nigeria after defeating students from nine other universities that included Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Veritas University, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Rivers State University (RSU), Usman Danfodio University Sokoto (UDUS), University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), University of Ibadan (UI) and Abia State University (ABSU)..
National Client Interviewing & Counselling Skills Competition: AE-FUNAI Faculty of Law Students claimed the 2nd position at the 18th edition of the National Client Interviewing & Counselling Skills Competition held in January 2024 organized in January 2024 by the Network of University Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI), for students of Faculties of Law in Nigeria. The University was represented by two students – Okechuku Sharon Amarachi (500 level) and Chukus-Amacha Glory (400 level).
Physical infrastructure
Apart from the concrete achievements made in the core mandates of teaching, research and community service, the Vice-Chancellor was still able to expand the physical infrastructural base of the university. While teaching, research and community service activities are crucial and silent agents of development, physical infrastructure is the active agent that drives other agents of development. Some of the notable physical infrastructure accomplished in 2023 include:
Constructed the Faculty of Social Sciences Building; Constructed the Faculty of Engineering & Technology lecture building; Construction of 2 hostels (male and female) for the clinical students at AE-FUTHA 1; Constructed, furnished and inaugurated the Faculty of Law Moot Court and Library; Provision of broadband infrastructure and end-to-end fiber optics- powered internet access by NCC, and many ongoing projects nearing completion at various parts of the university campus.
Conclusion
In concluding, it is pertinent to note that every organization rises and falls on the quality of its leadership, as no organization can rise above the vision, competence and commitment of its leader(s). Quality leadership in itself is a function of preparedness. That’s why Benjamin Disraeli once said, ‘The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his time when it comes’
Prof. Elom is not an accidental Vice-Chancellor, He is a man that was adequately prepared for the position he presently occupies with about 18 years of post-professorial and uninterrupted academic experience in the Nigerian university system. Therefore, the successes he has recorded in his administration so far are borne out of his visionary, goal-driven and committed leadership.
The Vice-Chancellor also acknowledges the fact that the idea of a self-made man is a myth. He strongly believes that no single individual can achieve sustainable success, without help and support along the way. He therefore, owes the numerous accomplishments of his administration in 2023 to the strong work ethics of his team (staff and students alike) and the support of the then University Governing Council and other stakeholders in the university system and beyond.
He further assured that he remains irrevocably committed to the actualization of all the goals and objectives he had enunciated on assumption of office. He maintains that the remaining two years of his tenure would be dedicated to the deliberate expansion of academic, administrative and infrastructural frontiers and the completion of all ongoing projects and programmes in order to leave the university on a strong footing and better than he met it in 2021.
Elom Iyke Ubochi is the Public Relations Officer of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State