REPORT OF COREN ACCREDITATION VISITATION
TO THE
UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING PROGRAMMES
OF THE
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA, ENUGU
ENUGU STATE
27TH – 30TH MAY, 2018
REPORT OF COREN ACCREDITATION VISITATION TO THE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES OF THE FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA, ENUGU STATE, 27TH – 31ST MAY, 2018.
- INTRODUCTION
- PREAMBLE
The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) was established by Decree No. 55 of 1970 as amended by Decree No. 27 of 1992 (Amendment), now Act CAP E11/2004. The mandate of COREN is to control and regulate the practice of the Engineering Profession in all its aspects and ramifications. The Council carries out accreditation visitations to all Engineering programmes in Universities, Polytechnics and Technical Colleges.
In line with the mandate, COREN constituted a team of seasoned Engineers from the Academia and the Industry to re-accredit the Undergraduate Engineering programmes of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State between 27th and 31st May, 2018.
- STATUS OF THE PREVIOUS VISITATION
The table below shows the status of the previous visit:
| S/N | UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING PROGRAMMES | PREVIOUS STATUS | DURATION |
| 1 | Agricultural Engineering | Full Accreditation | January 2013 – 2018 |
| 2 | Civil Engineering | Full Accreditation | January 2013 – 2018 |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering | Full Accreditation | January 2013 – 2018 |
| 4 | Electronics Engineering | Full Accreditation | January 2013 – 2018 |
| 5 | Met Mat Engineering | Full Accreditation | January 2013 – 2018 |
| 6 | Mechanical Engineering | Full Accreditation | January 2013 – 2018 |
- Composition of Accreditation Team Members
The list of the team members are shown below:
| S/N | NAME | DISCIPLINE | STATUS |
| 1. | Engr. A. A. Rabiu, FNSE | Civil | Team Leader |
| 2. | Engr. Peter Awunde, MNSE | Programme Coordinator | Member |
| 3. | Engr. Prof. Emmanuel Akinde Okunade | Civil | Member |
| 4. | Engr. Dr. Balogun Olaitan Sulyman, FNSE | Agricultural | Member |
| 5 | Engr. T. A. Aduragba | Agricultural | Member |
| 6 | Engr. Dr. Haruna Musa | Electronics | Member |
| 7 | Engr. Oloruntoba Williams ABE | Electronics | Member |
| 8 | Engr. Prof. S. N. John | Electrical | Member |
| 9 | Engr. K.M. Umar | Electrical | Member |
| 10 | Engr. Prof. A. G. F. Alabi | Met/Mat | Member |
| 11 | Engr. Dr. S. O. O. Olusunle | Met/Mat | Member |
| 12 | Engr. Prof. O. B. Oloche | Mechanical | Member |
| 13 | Engr. Mohammed Sani Abdullahi | Mechanical | Member |
| 14 | Okoyo Henry Edosa | Secretary | Member |
| 15 | Engr. Emmanuel Anayo Agwu | Zonal Officer | Member |
- Period of Visitation
Arrival Date: Sunday, 27th May, 2018.
Departure Date: Thursday, 31st May, 2018.
- ARRIVAL
- Team Arrival
The team arrived Nsukka on Sunday 27th May, 2018, lodged at the University Guest House. The Dean, Faculty of Engineering Engr. Prof. O. U. Oparaku received the team members.
- Pre-accreditation Meeting:
The pre-accreditation meeting to mark the beginning of the accreditation exercise was held at the Guest House Restaurant. The meeting commenced at 9.00pm with an opening prayer said by Engr. T. A. Aduragba.
The Programme Coordinator, Engr. Peter Awunde, MNSE made a brief welcome remark after introducing the COREN accreditation Team, and the Dean equally introduced the faculty officials present.
After the introduction, the Team Leader, Engr. A. A. Rabiu, FNSE addressed the meeting. He thanked God Almighty for the safe arrival of all the members of the Team, and he appreciated the Dean and his officials for their warm reception. He stated that the pre-visitation meeting was to interact with the Dean and members of the Faculty. He urged the faculty officials to cooperate with sincerity and be open to the accreditation team in order to attain the objectives set for the visitation.
The Dean commended the team for honouring the invitation and requested the Heads of Department to provide COREN Team with self-study documents and Students hand book. He said the Faculty of Engineering runs six programmes with the Heads of the various departments present:
- Ass. Prof. V. S. Aigbodion – HOD, Met Mat
- Prof. E. S. Obe – HOD, Electrical Engineering
- Prof. C. C. Mbajiorgu – HOD, Agric and Bioresource Engineering
- Prof. F. O. Okafor – HOD, Civil Engineering
- Dr. E. C. Okoroigwe – HOD, Mechanical Engineering
- Dr. C. U Nwoji – Director, SIWES Unit
- M. O. Osilike – Director, Academic Planning
The Team Leader read out the Programme of events provided for the accreditation exercise as outlined by COREN. It was then adopted by all members present at the meeting. He emphasized that the Team should follow the programme strictly with COREN standard on accreditation and every activity during the period of the visitation.
The Dean of Engineering thanked COREN Team and wished them a fruitful stay at Nsukka. He then departed with his members to allow the Team deliberate further on the assignment.
The Team Leader held a brief meeting with the Resource persons and the Secretariat Staff to discuss the modalities for the conduct of the exercise in order to ensure that the team carries out a meticulous job.
The meeting ended at 9.40 pm with a closing prayer led by Engr. Prof. O. B. Oloche.
- COURTESY CALLS
- Courtesy Call on the Dean, Faculty of Engineering
The team paid courtesy call on the Dean of the faculty of engineering on Monday 28th May, 2018 at 9.20am. The meeting was held at the Conference Room.
Engr. Dr. C. U. Nwoji, Director, SIWES Unit welcomed the team to the Dean’s office and presented kola nuts as a mark of honour to the visitors.
The Dean received the team members and thanked them for their patience and understanding as regards the standard of the accommodation provided for them.
While assuring the team of his readiness and commitment to the accreditation exercise, he emphasized on the importance of accreditation exercise as an avenue of pointing out the area of strength and weaknesses that will be observed from the programmes visited. He requested the team to inform the Vice Chancellor of any deficiency observed during the course of the exercise to enable the management take prompt measures.
The team leader thanked the Dean and Heads of department for receiving the team. He informed the faculty officials that accreditation visitation is not for witch hunting but to partner with the University to build engineering profession together for the growth of the nation. He advised the Faculty officials to always prepare for visitors, especially at times like this.
In his comment, the Director, Academic Planning Prof. M. O. Osilike apologized for the poor reception accorded the team on accommodation and assured that efforts will be made to correct it. He informed the team that the University management was prepared for the accreditation visit and therefore wished the members a successful exercise during their stay in the University. The meeting ended at 9.50 am.
5.2. Courtesy Call on the Vice Chancellor:
The team visited the Vice Chancellor Prof. C. Benjamin Ozumba at 12.45pm for courtesy call. The Vice Chancellor welcomed the team members and the University Principal Officers present at the meeting.
The programme Coordinator, Engr. Awunde, Peter, introduced the team members from COREN. He informed the Vice Chancellor that the visiting team assigned to carry out the accreditation exercise was made up of seasoned and skilled professional Engineers from the Industry and Academia.
The team leader, Engr. A. A. Rabiu, FNSE, thanked the Vice Chancellor and the University Officials present at the meeting and extended the President and Councils’ good wish to everyone.
He informed the Vice Chancellor that accreditation is part of COREN regulatory mandate as prescribed by the Act. He said he was delighted to be in Nsukka the second time and commended the Vice Chancellor’s efforts in ensuring that the LNG project was completed for the growth of the Engineering faculty in the Institution.
The team leader noted that accreditation is about quality assurance; aimed at ensuring that products of Engineering Programmes in Universities, Polytechnics and Technical Colleges are sound, functional Engineering Personnel that would meet the challenges of society and compete favourably with their counterparts anywhere in the world. He urged the University to provide adequate facilities for the Faculty to build this capacity.
He informed the Vice Chancellor that COREN accreditation is for partnership and growth, not for witch-hunting, it is aimed at building, not destroying, but very strict process; firm and fair.
He quoted from the enabling Act and stressed that running Engineering Programmes that have not been accredited by COREN or continuing with such programmes with expired or failed accreditation status is illegal and in contravention of the Act establishing COREN.
The Vice Chancellor was also informed that the team will reconvene to brief him on the findings at the end of the exercise and only COREN Council can give the final verdict of the visitation at a later date.
In his response, the Vice Chancellor appreciated the team for visiting the University and said that the giant strides his administration has made in Engineering development, is a testament that he is a lover of Engineering. He said that the University of Nigeria is science packed Institution which is known for innovation and Technology driven in the sub-sahara Africa. This was also commended by the Indonesian professors that visited the University.
He urged the team to do a thorough job that will contribute to the growth of engineering and development of the University.
The meeting ended at 1.30pm and the team proceeded to visit common facilities.
- INSPECTION OF COMMON FACILITIES
The Team proceeded to inspect the common facilities accompanied by the Dean, HOD’s and some members of staff in the Faculty. The Programme Coordinator emphasized on the importance of COREN registration and urged the staff to get registered through their professional bodies if they are to practice legally. Facilities visited were:
6.1. UNIVERSITY CENTRAL LIBRARY
The University Central Library headed by the Chief Librarian Prof. Mrs. C. N. Ezeani received the team and conducted them round the library. The Chief Librarian described the library as the second largest library in Africa
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka’s central library has many volumes, a sizable percentage of engineering material. The databases subscribed to are relevant and adequate. There are e-books, physical books and Journals with:
- 213 journal titles in DOAJ,
- 13 Journal titles in JSTOR,
- 154 Journal titles in PROQUEST and
- 387 Journal titles in Science Direct.
6.2. E-Library
A well-developed e-library is available with ICT Park of 2200 laptops for Database exams and MTN foundation (126 laptops) for e-services.
6.3. Faculty Library
At the faculty level, there is an existing functional library. The library has 32 seating capacity which holds books in engineering programmes to compliment the Main Library.
6.4. Information Centre
The Information Section was housed at the University main Library equipped with adequate systems.
6.5. Lecture Theatre
The University Lecture Theatre has seating capacity of 534 with Sufficient teaching aids such as multimedia projectors, public address systems, electronic boards, etc.
6.6. Classrooms
There are dedicated classrooms for 300-500 levels. They are adequate in space and size. Classrooms are appropriately furnished but require improvement on illumination and ventilation.
6.7. Drawing Studio
Two Engineering Drawing Studios exist in the faculty.
- New Studio: There is a new and modern engineering drawing studio equipped with standard tables for manual drawing as well as provision for Computer Aided Graphics.
- Old Studio: The second engineering drawing studio was very old and there is the need for replacing the old tables and stools with new standard adjustable drawing boards and stools.
6.8. Workshop
The team also visited the various workshops and inspected the following:
- Bending Machines
- Universal Testing Machines
- Lathe Machines
- Connect Rod Boring Machines
- Drilling Machines
- Grinding Machines
- Power Saw
- Welding Fabrication Section
- Carpentry Section
6.9. Laboratories
Laboratory equipments inspected were found to be adequate and met the minimum academic standard specifications. The available equipments conform to those listed on the self-study forms.
- Structural Lab
- Hydraulics Lab
- Materials Lab
- Soil Mechanic Lab
- Departmental Programmes Assessment
The team broke into groups based on their discipline to tour departmental
facilities, assessed Student files, project reports, practical work reports,
examination questions and scripts etc.
The respective groups submitted detailed resports on each department as attached.
- Exit Meeting with the Vice Chancellor
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Arinze Chukwuigwe on behalf of the Vice Chancellor who was unavoidably absent received the team for the exit meeting. The meeting commenced at 5.00pm with introduction of all in attendance.
The team leader first and foremost thanked the University officials, the Vice Chancellor, the Principal Officers of the pioneer indigenous University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the Director, Academic Planning, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, the Heads of Departments, and the entire staff of the Faculty of Engineering.
He informed the VC that in the past few days, the team of Resource Persons from the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN has successfully assessed the programmes of the faculty of engineering, visited different physical facilities ranging from:
- Central Library
- Departmental Library
- Laboratories and Workshops
- Office Accommodations
- Drawing Studio
- Virtual Laboratories etc.
He said that the Team also interviewed students and assessed staff files to ascertain their qualifications. The Team however, observed the following weaknesses. These are:
- Poor funding to the faculty and the department for effective running of their activities.
- One of the drawing studios is dilapidated and requires urgent
renovation.
- There is need for maintenance and refurbishment of the Lecture Theatre.
- Most Technologists are not registered with the Council
- There is need to improve on the sponsorship of staff professional conference and workshop.
He informed the Vice Chancellor that the final verdict of the exercise can only be determined by the Council, while requesting the Vice Chancellor to look into the above mentioned weaknesses so as to rescue Engineering challenges in University of Nigeria
- Recommendation
It was recommended by the team that the Engineering faculty should be given a befitting building that is modern or the University management renovated the old building to the standard of modern day engineering faculty.
The team also recommended that the Electronic department should be headed by Registered COREN staff in the faculty not the Dean with many responsibilities. The Dean was therefore directed by the team to write COREN on the matter within a month before the verdict of the accreditation visitation is released by Council.
- Overall Management
The team commended the University and the faculty of engineering for the existing cordial relationship from top to bottom and vice versa among the staff. The University was encouraged to maintain the relationship for meaningful development.
- Responses of the Deputy Vice Chancellor
The Deputy Vice Chancellor commended the team for a job well done. He informed the team that the observations raised were noted and will be addressed immediately. He assured the team that when next they visit the University, there will be tremendous changes. He said that the management of the University will do well to build the engineering profession in the University. He wished the team members safe trip to their various destinations and the meeting ended at 6.00pm.
- SUMMARY OF THE ACCREDITATION SCORES
The analysis of the accreditation scores is shown below:
| S/N | UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING PROGRAMMES | SCORE | RECOMMENDATION |
| 1. | Agricultural/Bioresources Engineering | 77% | Full Accreditation |
| 2. | Civil Engineering | 74.5% | Full Accreditation |
| 3. | Electrical Engineering | 70% | Full Accreditation |
| 4. | Electronics Engineering | 69.5% | Interim Accreditation |
| 5. | Met Mat Engineering | 75% | Full Accreditation |
| 6. | Mechanical Engineering | 73% | Full Accreditation |
- APPRECIATION
The team appreciated the President and members of Council of COREN for the opportunity to participate in the accreditation exercise.
Engr. A. A. Rabiu, FNSE
Team Leader
