Acting Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, Prof. Oguejiofo Ujam, has commended the remarkable achievements of the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education in the past 10 years.
Ujam made the commendation in Nsukka on Friday while declaring open the faculty's 10th anniversary, cum 3rd International Conference with the theme: "Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Digital Era: Advancing Skill Acquisition".
He said the faculty’s commitment and numerous achievements emphasised the vital role vocational education plays in national development, job creation, and economic empowerment.
"UNN extols the faculty's remarkable journey and achievements over the past ten years and reiterates the university's unwavering commitment to excellence in technical and vocational training.
"The vital role VTE plays in national development, job creation, and economic empowerment cannot be overemphasized," he said.
The VC expressed happiness with the visionary leadership of Prof Chinyere Ogbuanya, the Dean of the faculty, and urged her to keep it up.
Speaking, Ogbuanya, articulated the objectives of the conference, cum celebrating a decade of innovation, capacity building, and cross-border academic engagement in the faculty.
The dean explained the need for synergy between academia, industry, and government in fostering a responsive and adaptive vocational education system.
"We will continue to do our best consistently to propel the faculty towards global relevance.
"The faculty reaffirms its dedication to advancing the frontiers of vocational and technical education in Nigeria and across Africa," she said.
She commended the university management for its support on issues concerning the faculty and pledged that the faculty would continue to do its best to sustain academic excellence.
"We are happy this intellectual event has brought together scholars, professionals, captains of industries, policy-makers, staff and students from across Nigeria and beyond, to celebrate a decade of transformational impact with us in vocational and technical education in UNN”, she said.
She expressed appreciation to both physical and virtual participants at the conference.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee, Dr. Bernardine Onah, in a remark outlined strategic planning and collaborative efforts that went into organising the conference.
She applauded the resilience and commitment of the dean, faculty staff, students, stakeholders and conference participants in sustaining academic and professional excellence over the years.
Our correspondent reports that, Prof. Benjamin Ogwo, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, Mr Kwanta Yakubu, Prof. Sehu Abdullah, and Mrs. Jane Nwagu were among those who made keynote presentations that addressed issues on contemporary challenges and opportunities in vocational and technical education.
While Chief Ferdinand Ukwueze, the Chairman of Igboeze-south Local Government Area in Enugu State, Amb. Gideon Chukuyenum, Chief Executive Officer of Liligid Agro Industry Ltd, Delta State, Dr. Goodnews Agbogidi of the Ministry of Technical Education, Asaba, Delta, and Her Excellency, Dr. Chinyere Ekomaru, Deputy Governor of Imo State, Mrs. Stella Adibe, Director of Spring of Life International School Enugu, were among those given awards for their outstanding performance.
Responding, Ukwueze thanked the faculty for finding him worthy of the award.
He promised to partner with the faculty in providing skill acquisition in his LGA.