AKSU Student Bags ‘Award of Commendation' Award in Pattaya, Thailand

Akwa Ibom State  University (AKSU)  student), Miss Erifon Ifiok Ukpe has bagged an 'Award of Commendation' at the 27th International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) International Conference on Chemistry Education (ICCE2024), organised by the American Chemical Society (ACS), held July 15-19, 2024 at Royal Cliff Grand Hotel, Pattaya, Thailand with the theme "Power of Chemistry Education for Advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)."

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The Award was presented to the Vice- Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Prof. Nse U. Essien, during a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at the Main Campus, Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. 

Presenting the Award to the Vice-Chancellor, the Faculty Advisor, ACS, Akwa Ibom State University Students' International Chapter, Dr. Felicia Umanah, from the Department of Science Education, alongside the Head, Department of Chemistry, Dr. Uwem U. Ubong, lauded the Awardee for making AKSU proud, stating that her poster presentation at the ACS Conference was the best over 100 competitors and has increased the University's visibility. They thanked her for being a good Ambassador of the University. Dr. Umanah added that AKSU was recognised internationally by ACS in the 2022/2023 academic session and given an 'Award of 'Commendation.'

Receiving the awards, the Vice-Chancellor noted that Chemistry is life, considering that almost everything on planet earth is connected to it. He therefore urged members of ACS, AKSU Chapter to adopt teaching approaches that will simplify Chemistry by paying particular attention to the entrepreneurial, manufacturing and more financially relatable aspects of Chemistry that will captivate the interest of the younger generation of Scientists. Prof. Essien congratulated the Awardee and appreciated the Head, Department of Chemistry, Dr. Uwem U. Ubong; Faculty Advisor, ACS, AKSU Chapter, Dr. Felicia Umanah and all the members of American Chemical Society (AKSU Chapter) for projecting the Institution in a positive light through collaborative efforts. He added that as a Scientist, some experiments had defined his interest in Chemistry. 

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He appreciated ACS for the awards and assured of continuous partnership with the Body, while enjoining the Awardee to encourage other students to be a part of such competitive endeavours.

In her response, the Awardee, Miss Erifon Ifiok Ukpe, who doubles as Secretary, ACS, AKSU Chapter expressed  gratitude to the Vice- Chancellor and the Management team for the audience and opportunity to present  the Poster at Thailand, stating that the aim of her study was to examine the effect of Green Chemistry and Traditional Laboratory Approaches on Students' Academic achievement in the Concept of Le Chatelier's Principle adopting Quasi-experimental research design.

Speaking about her experience at the Conference, Miss Ukpe said that the event brought together professionals, researchers and students from various institutions, thereby providing a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and innovation on the theme of the Conference. She appreciated the American Chemical Society for the support and sponsorship through the professional meeting grant which enabled her to attend the Conference.

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Highlight of the meeting was presentation of the two Awards to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nse U. Essien. Miss Ukpe is a Final Year student of the Department of Science Education and  Secretary, American Chemical Society (ACS-AKSU Chapter).

In a vote of thanks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Ita Ewa-Oboho, eulogised the Vice-Chancellor for his monumental achievements so far. He also congratulated the Awardee and commended ACS for recognising AKSU through Miss Erifon Ukpe, encouraged other students to explore opportunities of such magnitude that will continue to put the University in the spotlight.

Present at the meeting were: Deputy Vice- Chancellor, Academic, Prof. OtoAbasi Akpan;  Registrar, Dr. Ebi G. Eno-Ibanga, FNIM, represented by Deputy Registrar and Head, Legal Unit, Barr. Ime Udofa; Bursar, Dr. Jacob Eseneyen; University Librarian, Dr. Nse E. Akwang; Head of Obio Akpa Campus and Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof  Nkanikpo I. Ibok; Faculty Co-Advisor, ACS-AKSU Chapter, Dr. Ibanga O. Isaac (Department of Chemistry); Head, Directorate of Information, Public Relations and Protocol, Mr. Gabriel Otu, represented by Senior Assistant Registrar, Mr. Ibong Nkanga and staff of the same Directorate.

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Also present were: Ph.D student on a Split Site Programme between AKSU and Newcastle University, Mr. Akwaowo Inyangudo; From ACS, AKSU Chapter: President, Edidiong Akpanudo and Project LEAD, Mr. Abasifreke Sam, both from the Department of Science Education.