Four academic staff of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, have bagged doctoral degrees (PhDs) in various disciplines from renowned French Universities. The staff were beneficiaries of the postgraduate scholarship partnership between the University and the French Government, a first of its kind in the Nigerian University system.
The 4 scholars include Dr. Amos Onyekwere who bagged a PhD in Molecular Parasitology from the Universite︣ de Perpignan, Via Domitia; Dr. Folorunso Jayeola that bagged a PhD in Music-Ethnomusicology from the Universite︣ of Sorbonne, Paris; Engr. Dr. Ogechi Akudo Nwogu with a PhD in Computer Engineering from Universite︣ Sorbonne Paris Nord, and Dr. Ikenna Chinazaekpere Ijeh with a doctoral degree in Image Processing and Photonics from the Ecole Centrale de Marseille, all in France.
Presenting the scholars who returned to the University recently to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Elom, the Director, French Centre, Prof. Nnenna Nwosu-Nworuh noted that the 4 academics were among the staff of the University that have benefitted from the scholarship programme.
She stressed that the staff were happy to be back to the University in order to contribute their quota to the academic development of the institution by putting into practice the things they learned in France, adding that they were also happy for the opportunity availed them to be part of the scholarship programme.
While receiving the staff at his office, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Elom, extolled them for completing their doctoral programmes in record time, and for returning to the university as stipulated in the bond they signed before travelling to France.
The Vice-Chancellor urged them to invest their intellectual resources to the development of the University, as it is better to join hands in rescuing the country from its numerous challenges than running to foreign and developed countries. He maintained that Nigeria will only be developed by Nigerians, thus migrating out of Nigeria because of the present situation cannot be a sustainable solution to our challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the staff, Dr. Ijeh expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the University Management for the opportunity offered them, and for making their academic dreams a reality. He noted that at the beginning of the postgraduate scholarship programme, many staff doubted its sustainability but that at the end, it has become a huge success with many staff benefitting from it. He also used the opportunity to request for their elevation to the next rank, which the Vice-Chancellor directed the Director, French Centre to furnish him with a memo in that regard.
