NUC Resource Verification Team for the Department of Mechatronics Engineering Visits FUTO
…Chinweuba Ekwemalor
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Prof. Francis C. Eze has assured members of the National Universities Commission (NUC) of Maximum Co-operation and transparency towards the resource verification process of the Department of Mechatronics Engineering in the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET).
The Vice Chancellor who stated this on Monday, May 13, 2019, during a three-man delegation from the National Universities Commission Resource Verification team, noted that the University has made adequate preparation within the limits of their resources adding that as the University expands, they focus more on their mandate.
Prof Francis C. Eze, however, hoped that the team will view the Department of Mechatronics Engineering in a good light while insisting that quality is the University’s watchdog.
Speaking at the visit, Prof. Benny Imasogie who is the immediate past Dean of Faculty of Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Osun State commended the Vice-Chancellor and the Head of the Department of Mechatronics Engineering, for establishing the Department at the undergraduate level.
He, however, said that Mechatronics Engineers are very smart adding that they are capable of turning our technological development and economic growth around.
Prof. Imasogie challenged students and lecturers of Mechatronics to be code writers and also have the ability to interpret codes and machine language adding that Mechatronics adds value to our lives, as it keeps improving our life expectancy.
Consequently, the former Dean explained that their visit to the University was for Resource Verification of Mechatronics Engineering programme which will be based on principle. He also assured the Vice-Chancellor of compliance as Mechatronics will stand the test of time.
“Mechatronic will be looking at the human angle where we will be able to use gadgets to add value to our lives and make us more comfortable. I am looking for Advanced Manufacturing Technology and Addictive Manufacturing Technology” he said.
Also speaking, Prof. Abiodun Musa Aibinu from the Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State said that the Department needs the attention of the Vice-Chancellor especially in meeting the demands of the Department. He also assured the Vice-Chancellor of their utmost cooperation and collaboration towards the success of the verification.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Francis Chukwuemeka Eze in his response, thanked the team for their comments and informed them that the University has Africa Centre of Excellence, FUTO Energies and Electro-Chemical Systems. He, however, wished them a beautiful stay in the University.
Later in the day, the National Universities Commission Resource Verification team came back for the exit meeting during which Prof. Imasogie thanked the Vice-Chancellor and everybody for their cooperation and also pleaded for support of this adventure which has started today. He said Mechatronics has come to stay in FUTO as they are optimistic with what they have seen.
He, however, listed some areas where lecturers and students need to be trained like in Laboratory View, Solid Work, Code Writing, Software Engineering and Information Technology.
Also, Prof. Aibinu said that the Department require more staff and to train them in specialization in Mechatronics while the Department needs the training to generate Internally Generated Revenue to help sustain the Department.
The Vice-Chancellor in his response noted their comments and assured them that staff in the Department will be adequately trained, Internally Generated Revenue will be put in place and in a short while the University would have better-trained Lecturers in the Department.
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