ACCREDITATION VISIT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM RESOURCES DELTA

REPORT OF COREN ACCREDITATION

 

VISITATION TO THE

UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING PROGRAMMES

 

COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

 

FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM RESOURCES, EFFURUN, DELTA STATE.

 

        11TH   – 15TH JUNE, 2017    

REPORT OF COREN ACCREDITATION VISITATION TO THE UNDERGRADUATE  ENGINEERING PROGRAMMESCOLLEGE OF  TECHNOLOGYFEDERAL  UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM RESOURCESEFFURUN, DELTA STATE,  11TH â€“ 15TH JUNE,  2017.

 

 1.0    PREAMBLE

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) was established by Decrees No. 55 of 1970 as amended by 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.  With this mandate, the Council undertakes accreditation visitations to all Engineering programmes in Universities, Polytechnics and Technical Colleges producing engineering personnel in all cadres of the profession.

COREN in line with the mandate, constituted a Team of seasoned Engineers from the academia and the industry to visit the Undergraduate Engineering Programmes of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun,  from 11th  â€“ 15th May, 2017.

2.0      COREN ACCREDITATION TEAM MEMBERS

The team members who visited the Undergraduate Engineering Programmes of the College of Technology are as shown on the table below.

S/N NAME DISCIPLINE STATUS
1. Engr. Julius Sunday Olurinola,   Electrical Engineering Team Leader
2. Engr. Dr. Evans C. Ashigwuike Electrical Engineering Member
3. Engr. Dr. Iyiola Omisore, FNSE Mechanical Engineering Member
4. Engr. Prof. B. Adejuyigbe Mechanical Engineering Member
5. Engr. Rev. Okorie O. Monday Chemical Engineering Member
6. Engr. Dr. (Mrs.) Eletta Omodele A. A. Chemical  Engineering Member
7. Navy Commodore(Rtd) Engr. John Ikechi Onugha Marine Engineering Member
8. Engr. Dr. Ibiba Emmanuel Douglas Marine Engineering Member
9. Engr. Prof. Felix Aisien Aibuedefe Petroleum Engineering Member
10. Engr. Dr. (Mrs) Elizabeth Jumoke Eterigho Petroleum Engineering Member
11 Engr. Peter Awunde, MNSE COREN Headquarters Programme Coordinator
12 Okoyo Henry Edosa COREN Headquarters Secretary
13  Terhemen Adingi COREN, Warri Zone Zonal Officer

3.0.   STATUS OF THE PREVIUOS ACCREDITATION VISIT SEPTEMBER, 2014

 

3.1. Programmes visited:

          The status of the last visit to the Undergraduate Engineering           programmes is shown in the table below.

 

S/N UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES PREVIOUS STATUS DURATION
1. Marine  Engineering Pre-accreditation Sept 2014 – Sept 2016
2. Chemical Engineering Pre-accreditation Sept 2014 – Sept 2016
3. Electrical/Electronics Engineering Pre-accreditation Sept 2014 – Sept 2016
4. Mechanical Engineering Pre-accreditation Sept 2014 – Sept 2016
5. Petroleum  Engineering Pre-accreditation Sept 2014 – Sept 2016

3.2. Observations of the previous visit:

  1. The Team observed that the library presently situated in a noisy environment was not conducive for reading. The Team advised that the library should be moved to its permanent site.
  2. The drawing studio was yet to be completed while other drawing equipment was also not yet on site.
  3. The e-library needed to be expanded with modern software.
  4. In Electrical Dept – Office Accommodation was insufficient for the programme. Offices are shared by the lecturers and the HODs’ office has no convenience, neither was it directly linked with the Secretary’s office.
  5. Electrical Dept – There are six (6) non-teaching and technical staff, there was no evidence that any of them was registered with COREN.
  6. Chemical Dept – There are three (3) Technologist in the Department, but they needed to register with their professional bodies and COREN.

4.0      PERIOD OF VISITATION

The period of the accreditation visitation was from Sunday 11th to Thursday 15th June, 2017.

 5.0    ARRIVAL OF THE TEAM MEMBERS.

The team arrived Effurun on Sunday 11th June, 2017and was received by Engr. Prof. (Mrs.) Chiedu N. Owabor, the Dean of the College of Technology.

 5.1 Pre-accreditation Meeting

The  team had a brief meeting at the Conference Hall of Pakas Hotel and Suites in 8.40 pm to discuss  the modalities for the commencement of the accreditation exercise.

The programme coordinator Engr. Peter Awunde, MNSE thanked God almighty for the safe trip granted the team members who travelled from across the Country and extended greetings from the President and Registrar of COREN to everyone in attendance. He introduced the team leader, Engr. Julius Sunday Olurinola and the other members of the team respectively.

He informed all present in the meeting that Engr. Prof. Aisien Felix, Aibuedefe, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Benin had to replaced one of the Resource Persons Engr. Okechukwu Onyelucheya who sent a message on Sunday morning, 11th June, 2017of his inability to attend the accreditation visit.

The team leader thanked the members and the College Officials for attending the pre-accreditation meeting.  He said that the assignment is an important  one  that demands commitment and honesty, everyone is therefore required to do the needful that will reflects the true picture of the assessment.

He commended the Dean and the Heads of the Department for the reception accorded  the team since arrival. He appealed to the HODs of various departments to  provide relevant information  that will assist the team to carry out a meticulous job.

The Dean of the College of Technology, Engr. Prof. (Mrs.) Chiedu N. Owabor welcomed the team members to the University and extended the Vice Chancellor’s greetings to the team. She said that the College of Technology has prepared for the visit and will give the team a maximum support to the success of the exercise.

She introduced the Heads of Department that were present in the meeting as follows.

  1. Dr. Omonigho B. Otanocha – HOD, Mechanical Engineering
  2. Dr. Akpoturi Peters –  HOD, Petroleum Engineering
  3. Dr. Nwaoha, Thaddeus Chidiebere –  HOD, Marine Engineering
  4. Dr. Okewale Akindele Oyetunde –  HOD, Chemical Engineering
  5. Dr. Okhaifoh Joseph –  HOD, Elect/Elect Engineering

The COREN accreditation files containing the assessment guideline/score sheet were distributed to the members of the team. The Heads of department also provided their study document to the team for detail study before the commencement of the assignment. The programme of  activities for the accreditation  was  reviewed  to suit the exercise.

The programme coordinator advised members of the team to ensure that the scores allocated to each facility visited should correspond with the reports of various departments to avoid discrepancies.

The team leader  further enjoined  members to be fully committed to the exercise and ensure that reports of various departments are  ready before the Exit Meeting with the Vice Chancellor of the University.

After an exhaustive deliberation by the team members, the meeting came to a close at 9.40pm.

6.0    COURTESY CALLS

6.1.     Dean, College of Technology:

The team members arrived the office of the Dean, College of Technology at  8.20am  for a courtesy visit.  In commencing the meeting, the Dean, welcomed and thanked the team for coming to Effurun.  She apologized for the delay of the accreditation visit since the expiration of the engineering programmes and thanked God for the grace to overcome the challenges. She therefore introduced the Heads of department in attendance.

After a brief introduction of the team by the programme coordinator, the team leader again thanked the Dean and HODs for the warm reception accorded the members. He said that the purpose of this accreditation visit is not to witch-hunt but to partner with the University for the building of a better engineering faculty in the University and the entire nation will gain from it.

The Dean gave a brief history of the University. She said the University was founded in 2007 as an Oil and Gas Institution. As the activities progresses, the Institution started offering sciences courses and engineering. The department of engineering was domiciled in the University of Benin. She further said that the College of Technology was established in 2010 and later got COREN pre-accreditation in September, 2014. In conclusion, the University will not rest its oars until it have her bearing with the International counterpart in engineering profession.

The meeting ended at 9.10am and the team proceeded to pay a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor of the University.

6.2.     Vice Chancellor of the University:

The team paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor at the Conference Hall. The meeting commenced at 9.30am with the introduction of the University officials by the University Public Relation Officer. The Programme Coordinator also introduced the team members respectively.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. A. O. Akii Ibhadode, FAS, welcomed the team and thanked the almighty God for safe trip to Effurun. He further gave a brief history of the University and said that the University is a specialized Institution that would have been generating income but because of the poor funding on the part of the government, the School could not actualize her dream.

The team Leader, Engr. Julius Sunday Olurinola thanked the Vice Chancellor, the University officials and solicited for their cooperation to the success of the exercise. He went further to read his address and said that accreditation of Engineering Programmes is a major mandate of COREN in accordance with the Act setting up the Council.

He 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. To achieve this, he said, adequate facilities must therefore be available in the University to build this capacity.

He added that COREN accreditation is for partnership and growth, not for witch-hunting.  It is aimed at building, not destroying, but strict process; firm and fair. He stressed from the relevant enabling Act,  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.

He informed the Vice Chancellor that at the end of the exercise, the team shall reconvene to brief the Vice Chancellor of the University on the observations but only the COREN Council can give the verdict of the visitation which must come up at a later date.

In his response, the Vice Chancellor commended the team members for taking part in the laudable national assignment and wished the team success as they carry out the accreditation exercise in the University and the meeting ended at 10.45 am.

Thereafter, the team members proceeded to inspect the common facilities used by the College of Technology of the University accompanied by the Dean and Heads of Department.

7.0.  VISITS TO COMMON FACILITIES

The team toured the Common facilities used by the College of Technology as follows:

7.1    LIBRARY:

  • Reference Section/circulation reading hall – 50 seating capacity.
  • E-Library – 150 seating capacity.
  • Main Library – 120 seating capacity.

7.2. WORKSHOP:

The Workshop facilities visited have 1 Centre Lathe Machine, 1           Universal   Milling Machine etc.  This is not enough for the whole           Engineering Student in the University

 

7.2. CLASS ROOM

  • Lecture Hall – 500 seating capacity.
  • Class room – Range from 50 to 100 seating capacity.

7.3. DRAWING STUDIO

  • Two (2) drawing studio – 50 seating capacity each.
  • Machine Drawing studio (Mechanical Engineering) – 50 seating capacity.

7.4.   FOUNDRY:

  • One (1) Furnace

8.0     ASSESSMENT OF DEPARTMENTAL PROGRAMME

After the touring of the common facilities, the team splits into various engineering department to assess departmental facilities, to interact with the academics, administrative and technical staff.

Also study Staff files and obtains relevant information on staff recruitment and development practices. The team inspected student’s project reports, external examiners reports, sample examination questions, scripts and the curriculum.

The detail reports  of the various department is attached.

9.0    SUMMARY OF THE ACCREDITATION VISIT

The summary of the visitation is shown on the table below:

S/N UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME SCORE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Marine Engineering 77% Full Accreditation
2. Chemical Engineering 75% Full Accreditation
3. Electrical/Electronics Engineering 71% Full Accreditation
4. Mechanical Engineering 78.5% Full Accreditation
5. Petroleum Engineering 72% Full Accreditation

 

 

 

 

 

10.0     EXIT MEETING WITH THE VICE CHANCELLOR

 

The Exit meeting commenced at 10.15am with brief opening remarks by the Dean of College of Technology.

The Vice Chancellor thanked the team for creating time from their tight schedule to honour this accreditation exercise and further pleaded that COREN should partner with the University to develop the College of Technology.

The team leader appreciated the Vice Chancellor and the           University Principal Officers for the warm reception accorded the           team throughout the period of          the exercise. He therefore           presented the exit address with the following observations

 

           Strength:

  1. It is gratifying that there has been noticeable improvement in the engineering programmes of the College of Technology, compared to the situation during the last visit of September, 2014.
  2. The Philosophy and objectives are clearly stated in the Self-Study Document / College handbook
  3. There are dedicated classrooms for the departments aside from the shared classrooms. These are well ventilated (air conditioned with functional fans) and well illuminated classrooms which are conducive for learning. Some classrooms are still being worked upon by the time we got there, this was evidenced in lack of adequate force ventilation tools, e.g fan
  4. The faculty of Engineering had a drawing room capacity for 150 students. This was considered adequate.
  5. The academic staff and most of the administrative and Technical staff are registered with COREN, this is commendable.
  6. The team is impressed with Staff development, this should be sustained. However input should br generated from the department/college
  7. There is an evidence of cordial working relationship among the staff of College of Technology and this should be sustained.

However, there are areas that require improvement.

  1. The University should be encouraged to sponsor the Engineering Members of staff to COREN Engineering Assembly every year as this is in line with staff development and training as required by COREN.
  2. Lack of simulation laboratory in the chemical department
  • Insufficient elective courses are offered in the chemical department.
  1. The College of Technology needs to improve on their Workshop facilities. For example 1 Centre Lathe Machine, 1 Universal Milling Machine etc. This is not enough for the whole Engineering Student in the University.
  2. Adequate academic staff required to cover practical works with proper marking and not just given a lump sum figure for a number.
  3. Lack of internet facility
  • Metrology and sound and vibration lab are lacking, e.g in Mechanical department.
  • No towing tank facility in marine department
  1. Entry part for ND students should be 200 level not 100 level
  2. The college of technology needs to improve on their facilities in the workshop and more books are needed in the main Library. The main library need to be expanded to accommodate more students
  3. Students technical report writing has no uniformity and lacks technicalities especially in the department of petroleum.
  • Teaching aids in classes should be improved upon.
  • There should be provision of a Mud laboratory in the Petroleum Department
  • Overcrowding during faculty based courses especially in the 200 level classes.
  1. The Technical staff of the department should be given more encouragement to register with COREN.
  • More books required in the department library, e.g in Electrical/Electronics department.
  • Ensure correction in the number of years for students’ admission into engineering programme. For the past 3 years letter of admission carried 4 years duration against 5 years expected

He said that the accreditation report will be forwarded to COREN           Council and the final decision will be conveyed to the University.

He concluded by thanking the University again for the warm           reception accorded the Team and extended the assurances   of      the highest regards of the President and Members of the Council    for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN.

The Vice Chancellor commended the team for job well done and promised to implement the observations mentioned by the team. He assured the team that when next they visit the University there will be tremendous improvement in the College and entire University.

The Registrar of the University gave vote of thanks and the meeting came to a close at 10.50am.

 

12.0    APPRECIATION

The team expressed her appreciation to the President and COREN Council for the opportunity to serve in this national assignment of the accreditation of the Undergraduate Engineering Programmes of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State.

ENGR. JULIUS SUNDAY OLURINOLA

TEAM LEADER