Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State has hosted the 5th National Technical Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Universities Engineering Students’ Association (NUESA) from 26th to 29th January, 2023.
The conference which is themed “Pioneering Engineering Innovations for a Resilient Economy in Nigeria” is the first of its kind in the Southeast geopolitical zone of the Country, and it addressed emerging engineering issues which are crucial to solving pressing challenges facing mankind.
Delivering his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Sunday Elom said the institution aspires to be a world –Class University and as such encourages conferences that challenge students to aspire for greater success in their various academic fields.
He appreciated the association, which is the students’ arm of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, for choosing the University as the host of the conference as it is the first time such a conference was held in the south eastern zone of Nigeria, adding that such conferences pave way for technological advancement, as different branches of engineering is structured to solve different problems facing the world.
Represented by the Dean, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Prof. Akanu Ibiam, the Vice-Chancellor encouraged the students to take the conference seriously and count themselves lucky as future engineers to be part of those that would change the world through their innovations.
He equally noted that the Faculty of Engineering and technology of the University is fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), adding that the University is determined to train world-class engineers.
While delivering the keynote address of the conference virtually, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, FNSE, Deputy President, Nigerian society of Engineers said that Engineering innovations and economic development are like Siemens twins, noting that the former is needed to make life easier for the populace. She equally added that engineers from various branches of engineering are needed to put Nigeria on the right track.
She noted that global competiveness of any economy largely depends on the engineering output of the country; pointing out that most of the established and renowned engineers started as youths, therefore there is no excuse for young engineers not to attain success through their innovations.
Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the grand patron of the association in his speech via zoom, said that all through the ages, mankind has considered engineers and the engineering profession as very honourable and crucial, and critical to the happiness, progress and the development of man and his environment.
He further stated that when we look at the environment today, every index of development is derived from engineering, adding that the profession is a beacon of hope for the quest of a better world by humanity, and everything in the universe, starting from the roads, buildings, power, communication, airplanes, warships, automobiles, are all made possible by engineering profession. He enthused that engineering knowledge has been utilized in production of weapons of war as all weapons used on land, air, sea operations where produced by engineers.
He therefore advised the participating students to take the conference seriously as in the nearest future they would graduate and become engineers, with the big responsibility of ensuring the peace, happiness and development of humanity.
Earlier in his opening address, the National President of the Nigerian Universities Engineering Students’ Association (NUESA), who is also a 500 student of AE-FUNAI, Comrade Chukwudubem Anointing Chukwudi thanked the management of his university for accepting to host the conference, even as he also commended the leadership of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, and other stakeholders for their support in making the conference a reality.
He noted that the theme of the conference was timely and apt, considering the developmental challenges facing the country, stressing the importance of the engineering profession in bridging the gap. He further used the opportunity to encourage fellow students and aspiring engineers not to be limited by their present situations, but to keep on striving until they achieve their dreams.