Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, has recorded a major international breakthrough with two of its student research teams selected to represent the University, Nigeria and the African continent at the Russia–Africa Forum of Young Scientists: Future Engineers of the World–Foundation for Sustainable Development holding in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation.
The two AE-FUNAI teams scaled the highly competitive Selection Stage and have been formally invited to present their research output at the in-person stage of the Forum.
This double qualification underscores AE-FUNAI’s growing reputation as a hub for research, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The first team is comprised of multidisciplinary scholars drawn from the Departments of Civil Engineering, Geophysics, and Computer Science under the academic supervision of the Director of Research and Development, Engr. Prof. Onuegbu O. Ugwu. They include: Ikpa Chidozie–team leader, Ugota Chibuike, Nwojiji Emmanuella, Onela Patience and Agu Jeremiah, and their research work is an : AI-Driven Infrastructure Solution titled “An AI-Driven Framework for Rapid Soil Stability Assessment Towards Sustainable Infrastructure Development”
The project leverages Artificial Intelligence to provide rapid, data-driven assessment of soil stability, offering practical solutions for safer and more sustainable infrastructure development.
The members of the second team are comprised of students from the Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences under the academic supervision of Head, Department of Biology, Dr. Chioma Ogochukwu Anorue. They include: Okoli Uchechukwu Favour – team leader, Enyiazu Onyinyeoma Esther, Ani Mary-Ann Ginika, Uzodinma Precious Mmesoma and Odinammwa Ekene Paschel. Their research work is a Climate-Smart Agriculture Solution geared towards “Transforming Rice Husk Waste into Climate-Smart Organic Soil Amendments for Enhanced Soil Health, Water Use Efficiency, Agricultural Productivity, and Food Security in Nigeria.”
The research addresses waste-to-wealth conversion and climate resilience by turning rice husk waste into organic soil amendments that boost food security and environmental sustainability.
Speaking on the achievements, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Daniel Nwachukwu, congratulated the students, supervisors, and the Directorate of Research and Development for making the university proud.
“The selection of two AE-FUNAI teams for this prestigious international platform reflects our increasing competitiveness, global visibility, and capacity to produce graduates who solve real-world problems.
“These projects in AI for infrastructure and climate-smart agriculture align perfectly with AE-FUNAI’s strategic vision of becoming a globally competitive, research and innovation-driven institution. We are immensely proud of these young scholars and we wish them resounding success as they fly the flag of AE-FUNAI, Nigeria, and Africa in St. Petersburg”, the Vice-Chancellor stated.
Concluding, Prof. Nwachukwu reaffirms his administration’s commitment to advancing research excellence, sustainable development, and international academic collaboration, while producing globally competitive graduates equipped to tackle critical national and global challenges.
