FUOTUOKE Set to Commence Post-Graduate Studies in Four Engineering Programmes

The Civil, Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic, and Mechatronics Departments at the Postgraduate School of FUO are ready to commence their respective programmes following a successful visit from the National Universities Commission (NUC) Resource Verification Panel.

The panel, led by Professor O. A. Olugboji from the University of Abuja, aimed to verify the readiness of the four Postgraduate programmes according to NUC guidelines. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Teddy Charles Adias, assured the panel of FUO’s preparedness and welcomed feedback on areas needing improvement.

In their exit report, the panel commended the state-of-the-art facilities at the Engineering Faculty, particularly the Mechanical workshop, which they noted could contribute to internally generated revenue for FUO. However, they highlighted the need for FUO to establish a small hydro power generation system due to the lack of connection to the National Grid. Other recommendations included enhancing staff training, improving library connectivity, and maintaining staff synergy.

Departmental Observations and Recommendations:

Mechanical Engineering:

• Passed in terms of readiness to commence its postgraduate programme.

Electrical and Electronics Engineering:

• Adequate preparedness.
• Encouraged to work towards self-sufficiency in power supply.
• Need for continuous staff development through conferences.
• Laboratory is of standard but equipment enhancement is needed.

Civil Engineering:

• Recommended to adopt NUC BMAS.
• Emphasis on branding equipment, training technical staff, and ensuring up-to-date resource materials.

Mechatronics Engineering:

• Need for a dedicated area in the University Library for postgraduate students.
• Suggested collaboration with sister universities for expertise.

University’s Response:

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Adias, attributed the development pace to Nigeria’s economic challenges but promised improvements in grey areas. He requested NUC panel members to advocate for staff support from their universities to fill the academic staff quota in the Engineering Faculty, especially in Mechatronics Department.