ESUT holds maiden distinguished professors party, mulls innovation, commercialisation of research works

The Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, on Tuesday, organized a maiden distinguished professors Christmas party for the 41 past inaugural lecturers of the University.

In his opening address, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, said that the essence of the party is to provoke the spirit of scholarship, innovation and invention in the University.

He said that professors must continue to be at the vanguard of researches which proffer solutions to societal needs and development.

“The major reason for this gathering is to challenge ourselves to advance the academic content of our university. inaugural lecturers are the people who shape the academic content to the direction we want. Inaugural lecture is so important that we don’t joke with it. Like I mentioned in several fora, to present an inaugural lecture means you are announcing your arrival in the comity of scholars.

“Anybody can be promoted to the rank of a professor by length of service or whatever, but what will distinguish one from the other is your ability to demonstrate your research efforts to the university community. The Challenges you faced, the milestone achievements arising from your publications , your teaching experiences, encounters which crystalized into promotion to the rank of professorship.

“Don’t be discouraged by your number (41), even in the scripture, we read that many were called but few were chosen. In the universities across the world, you would have professors but only 30% are professing, others are mere salary-earning professors,” he said.

He said that any academic promoted to the rank of a professor is owing the university community an inaugural and valedictory lectures, adding that only five professors in a university present the latter.

While giving a talk during the party, a renowned scholar, Monsignor Prof Obiora Ike, urged the professors not to get weary in their pursuit of sustainable socio-economic solutions in the society.

He encouraged the past inaugural lecturers to champion the Experiencial Learning model of Enugu State Governor, Barr Peter Mbah, by impacting practical knowledge to the younger generation.

Professor Ike, who was a member of ESUT Governing Council lauded the Management of the University for her transformative programmes which according him, has placed the University on the trajectory of becoming reference point on academic excellence and technological transformation.

He equally enjoined them to tap into the South East Development Commission in order to benefit from its educational budgetary allocation for researches.

Also, a member of ESUT Governing Council, Dr. Eric Oluedo, in his remarks , enjoined the university Professors to collaborate with policy makers and investment corporations to transform research outputs to commercial products.

Another ESUT Council member, Chinedu Onu, urged the professors to put more efforts on research and development.

He further urged them to apply for National Research Funds to advance research endeavours in the University. He harped on the need to set up research teams involving young researches for prolific outputs.

He however, regretted that South East universities do not access their research funds, adding that there is a need to create a nexus between the teachings in the universities with industrial demands.

Some of the past inaugural lecturers, including the Chairman of ESUT Inaugural Committee, Professor Milletus Ezeamenyi, and the Director of Academic Planning, Professor Chike Anibeze, commended the Management of the University for the party, adding that it would provoke research interests in the University community.