From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
Former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Val Ekechukwu, has said that the recent appointment of Prof. David Mba, a Nigerian-born academic as the new Vice Chancellor of Birmingham City University (BCU), United Kingdom, will be beneficial to the university.
Prof. Mba who has held a position as a visiting Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UNN, and has examined some PhD students in the university is now the second Black appointed Vice Chancellor in the history of UK higher education. He is leading the university with a history spanning 180 years since its inception in 1843 with over 31,000 students.
Speaking to Sunday Sun in Nsukka yesterday, Ekechukwu described Mba’s appointment as a good omen to UNN and Nigeria in general. He expressed optimism that he would deliver in his new appointment.
“Prof Mba’s appointment as the Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University, United Kingdom, is a welcome development and a good omen to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the country in general. It shows that Nigerians have come of age in the world education sector.
“He has examined some PhD students from the Department since 2015 and was appointed visiting professor at the Mechanical Engineering Department, UNN, during the period I was Dean Faculty of Engineering, and we have subsequently collaborated on some academic projects.
Mba was invited and he participated very actively in the development of the BEng and MEng degree curricula for Nigerian universities in Aerospace, Mechatronic, Automotive, and Power Engineering programmes while I was serving as the Director of Research and Innovation at the National Universities Commission, Abuja,” he said.
Speaking further, Prof. Ekechukwu said that UNN would explore areas of collaboration with BCU, for the benefit of the two institutions.