AE-FUNAI ENGINEERING FACULTY EQUIPS STUDENTS WITH HANDS-ON SKILLS

In line with the vision of the Vice Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba to groom students that have the functional knowledge and sellable skills to be self-reliant and employable on graduation, the Faculty of Engineering and Technology of the institution has commenced a hands-on programme geared towards exposing its students to the rudiments of real-life work experience.

Applying the “Learning by Doing” approach to teaching, the Faculty yesterday, took the       Vice-Chancellor around the construction site where about 100 students of the Faculty were directly involved in the construction of an engineering workshop donated by the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Engr. Dave Umahi, to augment the theory taught in classrooms. The students who were grouped in 20 batches where drawn from Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Departments.

VC, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba in a group photograph with some of the students and their handlers

 While speaking at the event, the Chair of the taskforce in charge of the project, Engr. Ngozi      Eli-Chukwu noted that the main objective of the skill enhancement programme was to produce engineering graduates who are knowledgeable and employable.

“The essence of this practical experience is to equip engineering students with the relevant skills to be able to put food on their tables without depending on paid-employment on graduation

“Apart from the building plan submitted by the architects, the structural, electrical, and mechanical drawings were done by teams comprising of staff and students

“Thus, the structural team was at the site today to explain to the students how to implement the structural design in the field”, she concluded.

VC, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba (c) with members of the taskforce

While also speaking at the project site, the Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship and Employability (CEE), Dr Makuachukwu Ojide, emphasized that the “Learning by Doing” approach was what the Centre is advocating for in all the programmes of the university. He advised that departments should engage students in practical activities related to their disciplines, adding that the business world was not looking for certificate holders rather graduates who can deliver desired services.

Expressing his satisfaction on the project, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nwajiuba congratulated the students for been part of the practical training offered by the university. He encouraged them to utilize the rare opportunity to acquire necessary skills that would make them soar like eagles on graduation.

VC, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba witnessing the practical training of students by the Site Engineers

He maintained that graduates from the University must distinguish themselves from others by being solution providers in their respective disciplines, adding that the University would continue to provide the enabling environment for students to discover and realize their dreams.

The students, who could not hide their excitements on the practical experience availed them through the project, stressed their determination to learn more while also calling on the University authorities to continue in the same trajectory of exposing her students to real-life work situations in the courses of their study.