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…As Dean Says Engineering is No Longer Limited to Roads, Bridges and Machines
NSUKKA, ENUGU STATE — The Faculty of Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has formally inducted its 2024/2025 graduating engineers into the engineering profession, marking what the Dean described as a historic milestone in the Faculty’s commitment to professional excellence, ethical practice and global competitiveness.
The Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Ikechukwu Christian Ezema Ike-Eze, disclosed this during the maiden Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN)/Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Induction and Oath-Taking Ceremony for graduating engineers of the Faculty, held recently at the Continuing Education Centre, UNN.
Prof. Ike-Eze said the formal induction was being conducted for the first time at the Faculty, describing the ceremony as more than a celebration of academic achievement.
According to him, the occasion marked “the beginning of a lifelong professional journey founded on competence, integrity, innovation and service to humanity.”
Welcoming guests to the ceremony, the Dean expressed appreciation to COREN for approving the induction and to NSE for its continued partnership in promoting professional excellence and supporting the advancement of engineering education and practice in Nigeria.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya; the Governing Council; University Management; Senate; members of staff; alumni; industry partners; parents; and the planning committee for their support in making the maiden ceremony possible.
Prof. Ike-Eze said the theme of the ceremony, “Engineering Beyond Boundaries: Exploring Diverse Paths and Creating Limitless Impact in Society,” reflected the changing role of engineers in an increasingly technology-driven world.
He noted that engineering had moved far beyond the traditional fields of roads, bridges and machines, with engineers now playing critical roles in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, healthcare, digital technology, agriculture, manufacturing and environmental sustainability.
“The opportunities before you are limitless and society looks to you for solutions that will improve lives and drive sustainable development,” he told the inductees.
Addressing the graduating engineers, the Dean described the induction as both a privilege and a responsibility, urging them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, competence and ethical conduct.
“Today is both a privilege and a responsibility. The oath you are about to take is a solemn pledge to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, competence and ethical conduct,” he said.
He reminded the graduates that as products of the University of Nigeria, one of Africa’s foremost institutions, they carried a reputation that demanded excellence and responsible conduct.
“Let your knowledge be guided by wisdom, your innovation by integrity and your success by your positive impact on society,” he charged them.
Prof. Ike-Eze assured that the Faculty would continue to focus on producing globally competitive engineers through quality teaching, impactful research, innovation, entrepreneurship and stronger collaboration with professional bodies and industry.
“As a Faculty, we remain committed to producing globally competitive engineers through quality teaching, impactful research, innovation, entrepreneurship and strong collaboration with professional bodies and industry,” he said.
He urged the inductees to be bold in their vision, steadfast in their values and committed to excellence as they embark on their professional careers.
“Go beyond boundaries, embrace innovation and use your knowledge and skills to create lasting solutions that will transform our nation and the world,” he added.
Engineers Must Cross Knowledge Boundaries — Mgbemene
Also speaking, the induction lecturer, Prof. Chigbo Anyaegbusi Mgbemene, said the lecture was designed to equip the graduating engineers with knowledge and perspectives that would assist them in navigating the realities of the professional world.
Prof. Mgbemene urged the graduates not to restrict themselves to conventional engineering knowledge but to explore other fields and disciplines capable of expanding their capacity to solve complex societal problems.
“The students will need to cover different boundaries of knowledge. It is not just engineering. They need to delve into things and imbibe knowledge from wherever, and they need to put the knowledge into practice and actually address the problems of the nation,” he said.
UNN VC Charges Inductees on Innovation
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, represented at the occasion by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Mike Ebie Onyia, said the ceremony was taking place at a time of unprecedented technological advancement.
Prof. Ortuanya noted that engineering was at the centre of innovation across critical sectors, including energy, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, digital technology and environmental sustainability.
He challenged the newly inducted engineers to develop the innovation, adaptability and ethical standards required to confront the challenges facing Nigeria and the wider world.
“The challenges confronting our nation and the global community demand engineers who are innovative, ethical, adaptable and committed to finding sustainable solutions,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nsukka Branch, Engr. Dr. Gerald U. Akubue, urged the inductees to look beyond conventional career paths and deploy their engineering knowledge and mindset to solving some of society’s most pressing problems.
He encouraged them to see engineering not merely as a profession but as a tool for innovation, national development and human advancement.
The NSE President, Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, was represented by Engr. Pius Ikechukwu Celestine Chukwunta, while the President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, was also represented.
The COREN Registrar, Engr. Prof. O.A.U. Uche, was among the dignitaries who participated in the event.
Others who spoke at the ceremony included Engr. Ernest C. Ezekwe, President of the UNN Engineering Faculty Alumni Association, represented by Engr. Prof. Sam Enibe; Engr. Dr. C.O.A. Agbo, Chairman of the Planning Committee and Head of the Department of Nuclear Engineering; and other senior academics and professional engineers.
The event attracted several heads of departments and senior officials of the university, including Prof. Izuchukwu Francis Okafor, Acting Director, Energy Centre, UNN; Engr. Prof. Sunday L. Ezeoha, Head of Department, Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering; Engr. Prof. Peter Ogbonnaya Offor, Head of Department, Biomedical Engineering; Engr. Dr. Mkpamdi N. Eke, Head of Department, Mechanical Engineering; and Engr. Prof. Cosmas Uchenna Ogbuka, Head of Department, Mechatronic Engineering.
The Overall Best Graduating Student, Engr. Ogbu Samuel Chemerie, was also among those present at the historic ceremony.
The maiden induction and oath-taking ceremony marked a significant transition for the graduating engineers as they moved from academic training into the regulated professional practice of engineering, with the Faculty urging them to uphold the values of competence, integrity, innovation and service throughout their careers.
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