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Says govt to build Centre for Experiential Learning in the university
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ESUT don gets N102m grant to perfect invention
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Mbah Bags Honorary Doctorate for investment in education, good governance
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8,437 graduate with various degrees, 9 bag 1st Class
The Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, has expressed satisfaction with the rapid transformation of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), which is restoring the institution’s glory as a centre of excellence.
Mbah spoke at the 20th Convocation Ceremony of ESUT in Agbani, where he was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration and Corporate Governance over the weekend.
The governor announced plans by his administration to establish a Centre for Experiential Learning at ESUT to boost innovation. He also announced a ₦50 million grant to Prof. Cyprian Mgbachi, who invented a cooking stove phone battery charger, to perfect his technology. Mbah further promised support to other innovators identified at the university.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, announced the graduation of 8,437 students, comprising First Degree, Postgraduate, Master’s, and Doctorate graduates, with nine students earning First Class honours. He noted that 97 per cent of ESUT programmes had been accredited, a feat made possible by the Mbah administration’s significant investments in the education sector.
In Governor Mbah’s words:
“Indeed, I saw technology deployed in the cause of service as I toured an exhibition pavilion showcasing a diverse range of products, from biotechnology to pharmacology.
“Universities are meant to spur technological advancement. It is in line with this philosophy that I announced a new policy requiring all state-owned tertiary institutions in Enugu State to henceforth deliver Experiential Learning to our students. This change will reflect in planning, budgeting, curriculum reform, assessment and promotions, as well as research.
“We are also committing substantial funds for research purposes next year, which will be made available to state-owned tertiary institutions.
“We have committed over ₦1.6 billion to carry out structural expansion at ESUT to address space constraints at Park Lane.
“We have also provided funds worth hundreds of millions for various projects at this institution, including setting up a multi-purpose laboratory at the College of Medicine, water reticulation at the College of Medicine, rehabilitation of the Anatomy building, procurement of equipment for the re-accreditation of Nursing Sciences, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory Sciences, and resource verification of Public Health, Radiography, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, and Biomedical Engineering.
“We will also establish a Centre for Experiential Learning here. It will serve as a hub where professors will immerse themselves in Experiential Learning, passing on this knowledge to their students,” Mbah said.
The governor urged graduates to continually pursue excellence, embrace technology, and maintain their connection to the university.
“It is expected that ESUT will continually serve as a conveyor belt for the manpower necessary to transform our society, from health to engineering, ICT, agriculture, and beyond,” he concluded.
The Vice-Chancellor further disclosed that 6,940 students received First Degree certificates, 335 Postgraduate Diplomas, 798 Master’s Degrees, and 364 PhDs.
Governor Mbah, founder of Pinnacle Oil and Gas, a leading company in Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration and Corporate Governance. Mr Bernd Bergmair, an Austrian and a global investor known for his integrity, also received an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration. This marks the first time a foreigner has been conferred with an honorary doctorate by ESUT.
According to Prof. Okolie, Osita Tracy Ezinne of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences emerged as the overall best graduating student with a CGPA of 4.88. Chukwudebe Pearl Ewere of the Faculty of Biological Sciences and Odoeme Ogechi Eunice of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences were the second and third overall best graduating students, respectively.
Prof. Okolie highlighted that the university’s programmes are now oversubscribed due to improved infrastructure, accreditation of nearly all programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC), and timely completion of academic sessions.
“I am pleased to inform you that 97 per cent of all programmes in ESUT have full NUC accreditation. The allotted quota for most professional courses has been quadrupled, and additional faculties have been established,” he said.
The highlight of the convocation was the announcement of additional support worth ₦52 million for Prof. Mgbachi from Mr Bergmair, bringing the total sum received by the inventor to ₦102 million.