Public Presentation of the Festchrift in Honour of Prof.Mrs Ebele Egwunyenga titled:”The Ivory in the Ivory Tower:The Good in the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Nigeria’s University Education System” as part of the Faculty of Education 12th International Conference and Workshop in Abraka on Thursday
By Ejiro Nesisa
The Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga, has urged educationists across the nation to prioritize by harnessing education as a tool to address societal challenges. The Vice Chancellor made the call in Abraka on Thursday while declaring open the Faculty of Education’s 12th International Conference and Workshop with the theme: “Building Resilient Future – Integrating Educational Solutions for Societal Renewal”.
According to press statement signed by Patrick Ijeh, Deputy Director of Ceremonials, Information and Public Relations, Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Egwunyenga pointed out that since education is a powerful force for molding human behaviour and shaping society, all stakeholders need to continuously think of ways to enhance its impact on society. He noted that education in Nigeria is constrained by a lot of challenges and urged participants in the conference/workshop to proffer solutions to, in this regard.
The Vice Chancellor highlighted that the pressing need for a small university in Nigeria to require approximately two hundred million naira solely to ensure stable electricity on campus underscores the urgent necessity of exploring sustainable alternatives for long-term viability. He therefore expressed the hope that the conference will come up with ideas on how to effectively integrate distance education and technology, among others, into the school system in a way to transform learners into more productive members of society.
In a welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. (Mrs) Florence Ngozi Ugoji, said that the conference is designed to strengthen collaboration and forge connections across borders in order for stakeholders in education to explore and create educational frameworks that will not only respond to immediate societal needs, but equip learners with the critical skills, values and mindsets required to navigate an increasingly complex modern society. She noted that, since education is the foundation upon which every progressive society is built, the conference is aimed at finding ways to foster resilience in individuals, communities, societies and nations.
Presenting the Keynote Address at the conference, Prof. Adebayo David Oluwole from the University of Ibadan said, resilience is a critical component for the education sector if it hopes to make meaningful impact on society in the face of current harsh economic realities.
Prof. Oluwole pointed out that while Government’s policies are important in the evolution of resilient educational system, it is necessary to understand the mental, physical, social and spiritual dimensions of resilience. He criticized the Nigerian educational system for placing excessive emphasis on cognitive learning, while neglecting the cultivation of resilience, a crucial trait needed for individuals to achieve optimal productivity in life.
VC-DELSU, Prof. Egwunyenga receiving the inaugural Full Colour Award of the Faculty of Education in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education in Abraka on Thursday
A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the inaugural Full Colours Award from the Faculty of Education to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the promotion of quality functional education at Delta State University and beyond.
Additionally, a Festschrift titled: “The Ivory in the Ivory Tower:The Good in the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Nigeria’s Educational System” was presented in honor of the Vice Chancellor’s wife, Professor (Mrs) Ebele Joyce Egwunyenga, to commemorate her retirement as a lecturer in the Faculty of Education.
The ceremony was attended by principal officers of the university, deans of faculties, professors of education from other universities, directors of academic and non-academic units of the university, conference participants from Delta State University and beyond as well as staff and students among others