Ojukwu Varsity To Invest In Science Village, Innovative Degree Programmes

By Praise Chinecherem

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Uli, Anambra State has continued to invest in its science, technology and digital innovation infrastructure to usher in a new academic transformation.

Presenting his valedictory address, the outgoing Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences, Professor Kingsley Nwozor x-rayed the historical challenges of the university and thanked the University Management under the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha for prioritising science, technology and innovation, which he said had turned around the fortunes of the university for the better.

According to Nwozor, the university is leveraging on its robust collaborations with industry to address infrastructure deficiency and skills shortages by exploring opportunities in premium energy and digital industry courses such as Applied Geophysics, Energy and Materials Science, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Mathematics (with Computer Science combination), among others.

The upcoming Science Village, according to him, is designed to run in the mould of the Silicon Valley, grooming talents and translating knowledge to real wealth.

Nwozor cited the newly established Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Training Centre as one of such initiatives aimed at actualising the university’s goal of being a global player in the digital landscape.

The handover ceremony which was well attended by staff, students and friends of the Faculty marked the official transition of Deanship of the Faculty from Prof Nwozor to Prof Emmanuel Iloh.

Until his recent election as Dean, Prof. Iloh was the Associate Dean of the Faculty.

Participants at the ceremony described the seamless administrative transition as the first of its kind in the history of the Faculty attesting to the inspiring academic freedom and intellectual vibrancy that currently reigns in the university.

Enumerating the milestones achieved under his tenure, Professor Nwozor highlighted the strengthening of administrative structures, curriculum review, infrastructure upgrade, staff motivation, promotions and academic integrity.

According to him, on his assumption of office in November, 2021, he led staff of the faculty to conduct a comprehensive Needs Assessment of the Faculty, the outcome which then formed the pivot of his administration.

To address the identified needs, several strategic actions were taken. In terms of governance structures, the Faculty Administration was reorganised to include the Dean, Sub-Dean, Heads of Departments, Faculty Representative in Senate, Faculty Officer as well as the Immediate-Past Dean whose regular meetings provided policy advisory for the Faculty Board.

On infrastructure renewal, some projects executed were the construction and furnishing of a reception foyer and front office security desk, upgrade of the Dean’s office, renovation of buildings housing departments of Computer Science, Geology and Industrial Physics.

Others were the installation of a prominent faculty signboard, the construction of an access road linking the faculty building to major business areas on campus, development of Faculty Orchard and harnessing of other green economy opportunities, renovation and upgrade of laboratories and classrooms to provide modern learning environments, and the upgrade of departmental libraries and e-libraries to facilitate research and learning.

These projects, he noted stood the Faculty high on many ranking metrics as all the degree programmes domiciled in the Faculty achieved National Universities Commission (NUC) full accreditation status.

Acknowledging the imperative of curriculum relevance, the Faculty undertook a comprehensive overhaul of its curriculum, aligning with the NUC Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) and further introduced faculty-wide courses, such as Introduction to Physical Sciences, Fundamentals of Local Content Development and Earth Resources for Industrial Sciences as a way of promoting inter-departmental knowledge exchange.

As a people-oriented administration, staff motivation was prioritised through the establishment of honours and recognitions for outstanding staff while supporting staff to engage in impactful research, culminating in a remarkable increase in the number of Professors in the Faculty from 17 Professors in 2021 to 36 Professors in 2025.

In his acceptance speech, the new Dean, Professor Emmanuel Onyema Iloh expressed his profound gratitude to members of the Faculty for finding him worthy to lead, promising to build upon the strong foundation laid by his predecessor to ensure the continued growth and excellence of the Faculty of Physical Sciences.

Iloh outlined his vision for the faculty, to include innovation, staff and students’ welfare, collaboration and community engagement.