Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Saturday,held it’s 20Th convocation , and awarded degrees to 8,437,graduands out of which 9 made First class . The Institution also conferred Honorary Doctorate Degree on the Governor of Enugu state ,Dr. Peter Mbah .
Also honoured was a renowned investor, Bernd Bergmair, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Busines Administration.
Speaking at the event held at the Convocation arena, ESUT ,Agbani , Governor Mbah, expressed satisfaction with the speedy transformation of the University . He reassured his administration ‘s commitment to investing in ESUT.
Pix: Gov Mbah
The Governor announced a grant of N50 million to ESUT lecturer, Prof Cyprian Mgbachi, who invented a cooking stove cell phone battery charger, to mass produce the product.
He said 97 per cent of ESUT programmes had been accredited through the huge investments of his Administration in the education sector.He promised to support other innovators he identified in the university.
Governor Mbah announced that he will build a Centre for Experiential Learning in ESUT to boost innovation, disclosing that he saw technology deployed in the cause of service as he toured an exhibition pavilion showcasing a diverse range of products from biotechnology to Pharmacology.
Pix: Gov Mbah being robed
“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.
“We would be setting up a Centre for Experiential Learning here. It would be an experiential hub where professors will be wholly immersed in Experiential Learning, which would be passed on to their students.
“It is expected that ESUT will continually serve as a conveyor belt for the manpower necessary for the transformation envisaged in our society, from health to engineering, ICT, agriculture, among others.,” Mbah said
The Governor urged the graduates to continually pursue excellence, keep pace with technology, and never severe links with the University.
Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Alloysius- Michaels Okolie said 6,940 graduands bagged First Degree, 335 Post-Graduate Diplomas, 798 Masters Degree, and 364 Doctorates.
Giving the run down, Prof Okolie said, Governor Mbah, who is the founder of Pinnacle Oil and Gas, the foremost company in Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas subsector, bagged an Honorary Doctoral Award in Business Administration and Corporate Governance, while Mr. Bernd Bergmair, an Austrian and a global investor with proven credential of integrity also received an Honorary Doctoral Award in Business Administration. This marks the first time a foreigner is receiving ESUT’s honorary doctorate degree.
He announced Osita Tracy Ezinne of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the overall best graduating student with 4.88 CGPA, while Chukwudebe Pearl Ewere of Faculty of Biological Sciences and Odoeme Ogechi Eunice of Faculty of Environmental Sciences emerged as the second and third overall best graduating students, respectively.
Prof. Okolie explained that the university’s programmes were now oversubscribed, given the accreditation of virtually all the programmes of the university by the National Universities Commission, improved study environment and huge investment in resources through the support of the Mbah Administration, in addition to timely completion of programmes.
“I am pleased to inform you that 97 per cent of all programmes in ESUT have full NUC Accreditation. The allotted quota for most of the professional courses have been quadrupled and additional faculties mounted,” he said.
To the graduands he said, “.. Congratulations,..please be reminded that you are carrying the banners of the University, be of good behaviour and represent the University well. It is important to note that you have an added responsibility of projecting the good image of the University and demonstrating that you are great ambassadors of ESUT, to the world
“As worthy alumni, we look forward to tracking your records and harvesting from your assured accomplishments. You are hereby encouraged to give back to your Alma mater, Finally, be assured of our continued support to ensure that you succeed in the larger society. Your respective support, whether through mentorship, financial contributions, or professional networking.is crucial for the continued growth and success of future generations of ESUT students.
In his brief remarks, an Awardee, Bergmair, announced a donation of thr sum of N52m for Prof Mgbachi to invest in his invention and produce it in commercial quantity making the total money Prof Mgbacklhi received N102m .
Pix: Graduands
Author: Maureen Ikpeama