INTRODUCTION
The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, was established by Decrees No 55/1970 and 27/1992 (Amendment) now Engineers Act CAP E11 of 2004. It has the statutory mandate to regulate and control the practice of the profession in all aspects and ramifications in Nigeria.
With this mandate, the Council undertakes Accreditation visit to all Engineering programmes in Universities, Polytechnics and Technical Colleges graduating Engineering personnel. COREN on its mandate therefore put together a team of experienced Engineers from the Academia and the Industry to accredit the engineering programmes and facilities for the training of engineering students of Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State from 19th to 23rd October, 2014.
ENGINEERING PROGRAMMES OF LANDMARK UNIVERSITY,
OMU-ARAN VISITED.
The accreditation status of Engineering programmes of Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State that were visited, is shown in the table below.
S/N
ENGINEERING PROGRAMMES
STATUS
VALIDITY PERIOD
1
Mechanical
Passed Pre-Accreditation
Dec 2012- Dec 2013
2
Agricultural/Biosystems
Passed Pre-Accreditation
Dec 2012- Dec 2013
3
Civil
Passed Pre-Accreditation
Dec 2012- Dec 2013
4
Electrical/Information
Passed Pre-Accreditation
Dec 2012- Dec 2013
5
Chemical
Passed Pre-Accreditation
Dec 2012- Dec 2013
3.0 OBSERVATIONS OF THE LAST PRE-ACCREDITATION VISIT TO LANDMARK UNIVERSITY 28TH NOVEMBER TO 2ND DECEMBER, 2012
The Team members who visited Landmark University 2012 observed the following:
Those library facilities are adequate, conducive with engineering books, journals, manpower and furniture commensurate with current level of status. However, expansion of facilities should speedily conclude to include the serial and circulation sections.
That the Classrooms state appeared adequate in number and quality to provide enough comfort for teaching and learning.
That the ICT unit display adequate capacity required to support administrative activities of the Faculty and the University.
That the General workshop was sparsely equipped with non-functional pieces of equipment.
That on the status of the drawing studios, none was in existence.
That however, the Team suggested areas of improvement for these facilities that were inspected.
4.0 PERIOD OF VISITATION
The Accreditation Team members arrived Omu-Aran, Kwara State on Sunday 19th October, 2014 and departed on Thursday 23rd October, 2014.
5.0 COMPOSITION OF THE ACCREDITATION TEAM
The Accreditation Team that visited Landmark University, Om-Aran were the following:
S/N
NAME
DISCIPLINE
STATUS
1
Engr. Prof. J. O. Olajide, FNSE
Agricultural
Team Leader
2
Engr. Prof. M. G. Yisa
Agricultural
Member
3
Engr. Prof. E. O. Oyetunji
Mechanical
Member
4
Navy Cdre(Rtd) Engr. John Ikechi Onugha
Mechanical
Member
5
Engr. Prof. Y. A. Jimoh
Civil
Member
6
Engr. A. O. Ahiaba
Civil
Member
7
Engr. K.M. Umar
Elect/Information
Member
8
Engr. Dr. D. O Aborisade
Elect/Information
Member
9
Engr. Dr. Mukhtar Bello
Chemical
Member
10
Engr. M. Abdulrahman
Chemical
Member
11
Engr. A. A. Aliyu, FNSE
COREN Head Office
Coordinator
12
Mr. Okoyo Henry Edosa
COREN Head Office
Secretary
13
Mrs. H. A Mohammed
Ilorin Zonal Office
Zonal Officer
ARRIVAL AND PRE-ACCREDITATION MEETING
6.1 ARRIVAL
The Members of the Accreditation Team arrived Omu-Aran, Kwara State were warmly received by the Dean, College of Science and Engineering Engr. Prof. J. S. O Adeniyi and the Head of Departments and they checked into accommodation at the University Guest House.
6.2 PRE-ACCREDITATION MEETING
The meeting started at 9.00pm at the Guest House Conference Room.
The Programme Co-ordinator Engr. A. A Aliyu, FNSE, welcomed the Team members who came from different parts of the Country and thanked God Almighty for the journey mercies. He introduced the COREN Team Leader Engr. Prof. J.O. Olajide, FNSE and members of the Team to the Dean and other University Officials who were present at the meeting.
He therefore extended the President and members of COREN sincere appreciation to the Team for honouring the invitation for the accreditation exercise.
He emphasized that the meeting was an avenue to familiarize with each other and to go through the self study document provided by the HODs of various Departments.
The Team leader Engr. Prof. J. O Olajide, FNSE briefed all members of the Team on the assignment to be carried out for the period of the accreditation. He expressed that it is a national assignment that must be carried out with all sense of sincerity and urged them to do a thorough job.
The Dean, College of Science and Engineering, Engr, Prof. J. S. O Adeniyi on behalf of the Vice Chancellor thanked the Team members for coming to Landmark University, Omu-Aran and pledged his total commitment to the exercise. The Dean apologized for the H.O.Ds who were not at the meeting, and that they have been on ground to receive the Team members on arrival, but were not in the meeting because they were not informed that there will be meeting.
The Team leader entertained questions from members and after much deliberation on how to carried out the accreditation assignment, the meeting came to an end at 10.00pm.Â
COURTESY CALLS
COURTESY CALLS TO DEAN COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING
The Team arrived the Dean’s Office, College of Science and Engineering, Engr. Prof. J. S O Adeniyi office at exactly 9.17am. The Academic Planning Officer Prof. Olarinoye introduced the Dean and HODs of the College.
The Dean in his welcome address thanked the team members and said that prayer is the first thing to observe before the beginning of activities for the day, and therefore requested the programme coordinator Engr. A. A Aliyu to give the opening prayer.
The Dean said he is grateful to God for the growth of the University within three years and seven months old. He traced the history of engineering back to the time of creation and said that God is the first engineer, that if it is possible, when he dies he will return to be an engineer again. He also said that Engineering is the pillar of Landmark University and the Vice Chancellor loved engineering and never hesitate to release money when it comes to the issue of growth as related to the College of engineering.
The Team leader Engr. J. O Olajide, FNSE appreciated the Dean and the HODs of the College and expressed that the team is a partner in progress who came on visit to ascertain the achievement so far made since the University passed the pre-accreditation exercise about two years ago. He commented that the University has done well for putting such good structures with serene environment for teaching and learning in the University.
To support the team leader, Engr. M. G Yisa, a member of the accreditation Team also commended the University for the good
Infrastructures in the University environment within three years of its existence and urged the University to keep the culture of maintenance in other to remain among the best.
The meeting came to a close at 9.40 am,
7.2 COURTESY CALLS TO VICE CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY
The Team paid a courtesy call to the Vice Chancellor Prof. Joseph Olasehinde Afolayan who was still in acting capacity, because he was recently appointed the VC of the University.
The meeting commenced at 10.00am with an opening prayer by Pastor Moses Olajide, Director of Financial Services. The Academic Planning Officer welcomed the Team again and introduced the Vice Chancellor, members of the management team and some Faculty members of the College of Science and Engineering. Those present were:
Enoch Oyawoye, the DVC.
Dr, Daniel Rotimi, University Registrar.
Pastor Moses Olajide, Director of Financial Services.
John I zebere, Director Landmark University Farms.
Prof. J. S. O Adeniyi, Dean, College of Science and Engineering.
Olarinoye, Director Academic Planning.
Prof. S. I. A Ojo, HOD Civil Engineering.
Dr. Aderemi, HOD Chemical Engineering.
Dr. H. A Ogongbede, HOD Electrical/Information Engineering
Dr. Seth Maunwa, HOD Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
Dr. C. O Osueke, HOD Mechanical Engineering.
The Registrar of the University on behalf of the Founder, Bishop David Oyedepo, thanked the team for the visitation and recaptured the Founder good vision towards humanity and the University that he believed that Nigeria has what it takes to be great. The Founder Bishop David Oyedepo once said that, you don’t need to be a white man to do things right.
On this note, the Registrar urged the Team to point out any deficiency in the course of their assignment so that it can be corrected.
The Team leader Engr. Prof. J. O OLajide, FNSE read his welcome address to the VC and University Principal Officers by emphasizing that the Team was in the University to accredit all the five programmes of the College of Science and Engineering.
He therefore cautioned that Accreditation exercise was for quality assurance and collaboration towards the upliftment of the programmes in the University and not for witch-hunting.
Quoting from the relevant sections, he declared that COREN mandate empowers the body to accredit all Faculties of Engineering in Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics and Technical Colleges.
While commending the University for the infrastructural development, he further 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.
He expressed that the Team will reconvene at the end of the exercise to brief the VC on the findings, but the Council has the power to take final decision on the accreditation.
He encouraged the VC to continue to support the College of engineering, because the importance of engineering cannot be over emphasized, that even the clothes we put on is a product of engineering and life is inconceivable without engineering.
In his remark, the Vice Chancellor Prof. J. O Afolayan declared that he was pleased to receive the COREN accreditation team. He reemphasized on the mandate of Landmark University as earlier stated by the Registrar of the University. The University is not only Land marking in building structures but also in research, hospitality and provision of modern facilities for University generally and others that are domiciled in the College of Engineering.
He expressed that the LOGO of the University is a wheel which encourage mechanization as a mandate to seek and explore gold and pursue the culture of agrarian in the University.
For COREN to honour his invitation means the University is operating with high input and he believed that Engineering staff are registered COREN members and if any will be advice to do so.
The VC assured the Team that the University operates core values which enables students and the lecturers to fulfill the mandate of the Founder and they will not operate double standard as related to running unaccredited engineering programmes.
The VC also remarked that there should be a synergy between Academia and Industry to move engineering forward in our Country.
He therefore wished the Team a successful exercise and happy stay for the period of the accreditation exercise. The meeting ended at 10.55 am and the Team had a group photograph with the VC and members of the management team.
VISITATION TO COMMON FACILITIES:
The Team proceeded to inspect the common facilities accompanied by the Dean, HOD’s and some members of staff in the University.
The common Facilities visited are: Library, Classroom, CSIS, ICT, Workshop, Laboratory, Design Studios, and General Environment.
8.1 UNIVERSITY LIBRARY:
The Librarian Mrs. Yusuf, Director Centre for learning Resources received the Team and accompanied the Team to inspect the Library.
The Main Library has 2000 sitting capacity with current collection of 24,697 volumes of books and 594 local and foreign hard copy journals across all programmes with students population of 2,768.
E-library has 40 systems, over 50,000 Electronic journals and over 700,000 titles e-books
Departmental Library Housed by the Main Library Building has total volumes of books 4, 560 as follows:
Electrical and Information Engineering library with 1,126 volumes of books.
Mechanical Engineering library with 668 volumes of books.
Chemical Engineering library with 575 volumes of books.
Civil Engineering library with 1,494 volumes of books.
Agricultural Engineering library with 159 volumes of books.
General Reference Materials with 159 volumes of books
CLASS ROOM:
The Class room and the Lecture Theater ranges from 80 to 400 sitting capacity.
Centre for Systems and Information services (CSIS): Equipped with 100 systems
ICT Centre: New Horizon/Landmark University International IT and e-Business certification Resource Center with 150 systems
WORKSHOP:
Central Workshop equipped with the following machines:
Lathe Machine
Hydraulic press
Drilling Machine
Grinding Machine
Contact Welding machine
Metal Sheet Folding Machine
Bender
Mechanical Shearing Machine
Power Saw Machine
Wood workshop equipped with the following machines:
Wood Mill
Plane Machine
Grinder
Clamps
Pincers
Hammers
Chisel
Drill
Sawing Machine
Fabrication/Welding Workshop equipped with modern machines
Machine Shop stocked with 40 metal and bench shaping machines.
Automotive Workshop: The University Official vehicles are serviced and maintained in the workshop
LABORATORY:
Electrical and Information Engineering Laboratory House the following equipment:
Applied Electricity Lab
Electrical Power Machine Lab
Electrical and Telecommunication Lab
Computer Engineering Lab
Microelectronics and Embedded Systems Lab
Control and Instrumentation Lab
Energy Lab
Mechanical Engineering Laboratory House the following equipment:
Thermodynamic Lab
Fluid mechanic Lab
Mechanics of Machine Lab
Strength of Material Lab
Metallurgy and Material Lab
Control System Lab
Chemical Laboratory House the following equipment:
Physical Transport phenomena
Unit Operations
Chemical reaction lab
Process Dynamics and Control
Partially equipped Chemical analysis Lab
Agric and Biosystems Engineering Laboratory House the following equipment:
Soil and Water Lab
Storage and Processing Lab
Farm Power and Machinery Lab
Civil Engineering Laboratory House the following equipment:
Hydraulic/Hydrology Lab
Concrete Lab
Srength of Materials Lab
Soil Mechanics/Geotechnics/Highway Lab
Structure Lab
Enviromental Engineering Lab
DRAWING STUDIO:
Drawing Studio: Manual drawing studio equipped with 140 sitting capacity. AUTOCAD Studio: Equipped with 150 Computers
8.8 GENERAL ENVIROMENT:
The general environment of the University is neatly kept, well landscaped, good structures for Students Hostel, Classrooms, and Staff quarters. The environment is well ventilated. There are ongoing new Structures in the University for Hostels and Staff quarters. The Environment is commendable
9.0 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS BY DIFFERENT TEAMS ON THE FIVE PROGRAMMES
The observations and recommendations of the various syndicate groups are summarized as follows: Observations
The greenish, serene environment with walkways and good drainage system is commendable.
The heavy investment on infrastructures and equipment in the college is highly commendable.
The enforcement of the students to adhere strictly to the core values of the university in their day to day operation is worthy of emulation.
(iv) The current sitting capacity of the library is very adequate. The current holdings in respect of engineering books are adequate in quantity, quality and currency. The electronic library facility for e-books and e-journals is highly impressive. However, there are no College and Departmental libraries.
(v) The provision of functional facilities for training of staff and students at the University ICT centre is adequate.
(vi) Provision of automobile workshop within the college for servicing and repairs of official vehicles and cars of interested staff is highly commendable.
Majority of the Academic staff in all the departments are COREN registered this is commendable. However most of the technical staff are yet to register with COREN.
The cordial relationship from top to bottom vis-Ã -vis the execution of our assignments is also commendable.
Students are unduly overloaded as the number of prescribed University courses and courses taken in General and entrepreneurial studies are on the high side. However there is the need to comply fully with NUC BMAS with respect to number of credit units taken in mathematics at 100-300 level and maximum number of credits that can be taken per semester.
There is no platform for engineering students to interact with relevant professional associations and their colleagues in other Universities.
(xi) In some departments majority of the students have no Jamb admission letter in their files.
The number of permanent staff in some department is inadequate.
The number of technical staff on ground in some department is inadequate.
(xiv) Despite the heavy investment on equipment some critical and required equipment necessary for teaching and research in the core areas of 2 depts i.e Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering; and Electrical and information Engineering are not available.These areas include (a) Farm power& machinery (b) crop processing& storage and (iii) farm structures and environment and power systems and machines (Power Systems Simulator Equipment)
(xv) Despite the focus of the University on Agricultural revolution through mechanization there is low subscription of students into the Agricultural and Biosystems programme who are suppose to be one of the prime movers of the revolution.
(xvi) Majority of the Academic staff members who are on training positions are not willing to benefit from the University Staff development programme because of the conditions attached to it.
(xvii) During the inspection of general facilities it observed that the electrical installation in the laboratories were not done according to standard specifications; compoll gears and external conduit pipe were of poor quality,15 and 13 A SOCKETS were used instead of industrial types. the wiring and electrical fitting were poorly done.
(xviii) It was also observed that most of the installations were not properly grounded according to standard electrical installation practices.This can create serious problems of electric shock to the operators of the equipment.In addition most most of the computer control equipment are not supported with high capacity UPS.
(xix) The University is yet to implement the COREN circular on Placement of Engineering personnel
(xx) Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering are under the same College.
Recommendations
(1) Curriculum
There is the need to review the existing curricula in the departments so as to comply with NUC/COREN BMAS.E.G. Minimum of 12 ,6 and 6 credits of Mathematics at 100-300 level;reduction in GNS courses ,courses in entrepreneuship to be taken at 400 0r 500level not from hundred level.
** Formation of Engineering Students association is desirable under the guidance of Staff advisors
Admission requirement
There is the need for the University to assist students to get their JAMB admission letters as this was not available in their files. This is also necessary for mobilization for NYSC.
Staffing
There is the need to recruit more permanent academic staff in some of the departments for succession plan and for better staff-mix ratio. Also to meet the growing population of students on the programmes.
There is the need to recruit more technologists in all the programmes to avoid situations where a technologist is in charge of 2 or more laboratories. It is recommended that minimum of one technologist per laboratory with a reasonable number of assistants to serve the technologists.
Equipment
Immediate purchase of critical and required equipment for teaching and research in the departments of Agricultural and electrical engineering is recommended.
Improvement of enrolment of students into Agricultural Engineering through special incentives e,g scholarship
Staff development
There is the need to review the existing Staff development programme to make it more attractive to staff. It is recommended also that machinery be put in place to recruit prospective graduates from the college and sponsor them for postgraduate training to further enhance the staff profile of the Department
Library
College and Departmental libraries are recommended.
Registration Staff with COREN
The University should encourage engineering personnel to register with COREN
Implementation of COREN circular on Placement of Engineering personnel
It is to be recommended that to COREN COUNCIL that the report of the accreditation exercise should not consider until there is an evidence that the University administration have started the implementation of the COREN circular on Placement of Engineering personnel.
RECOMMENDATION ON OBSERVATION AT ENGINEERING LABORATORIES
(i) In order to protect the life of the new and expensive equipment that have been installed in the laboratories, it is expedient that all the wirings must be done according to IEE wiring and installation regulation without delay.
(ii) It is necessary to engage the services of competent professionals to re-do electrical wiring and installation of the engineering laboratories. Also the computer controlled must be supported with High capacity UPS.
(iii)Standard grounding system should be employed immediately to prevent electric shock.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
For developmental purposes It is recommended that the college of Engineering should stand on its own. Also considering the fact that only COREN registered engineers can become Deans of Colleges/Faculties of Engineering.
Verification Team will visit unannounced to verify and confirm the report of accreditation visitation team.
SUMMARY OF THE ACCREDITATION VISITATION.
Team members from Academia and Industry consisting of Ten resource persons paid accreditation visit to five Undergraduate Engineering programmes of the College of Engineering, Landmark University, Omu-Aran from Sunday 19th to Thursday 23rd October, 2014. The highlights of the accreditation visit are summarized in the Table below:
S/N
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME
ACCREDITATION
PREVIEW
SCORE
RECOMMENDATION
1.
Agricultural/Biosystems Engineering
Accreditation
65.4%
Interim Accreditation
2.
Chemical Engineering
Accreditation
76%
Full Accreditation
3.
Electrical/Information Engineering
Accreditation
73.5%
Full Accreditation
4.
Mechanical Engineering
Accreditation
72.9%
Full Accreditation
5.
Civil Engineering
Accreditation
77.08%
Full Accreditation
EXIT MEETING WITH THE VICE CHANCELLOR
The Team met with the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Dean College of Science and Engineering at 11.42 am in the VC conference room with opening prayer by Pastor John Izebere. The Registrar of the University welcomed the Team members and thanked them for job well done.
The Team leader Engr. Prof. J. O Olajide FNSE presented the Team findings and observations. The findings and observations are attached – See 9.0.
He commended the Vice Chancellor and the Principal Officers of the University for their Hospitality accorded the Team for the period of the accreditation exercise.
The Vice Chancellor in his response stated that the accreditation exercise is peer review exercise and that in management theory there is strength and weaknesses. He pledged to correct the observations raised in the Team leader’s speech. He also commended some of the facilities, especially the library that can be assessed online anywhere in the campus.
In the interactive section, Engr. Prof. E. O Oyetunji advised the University to keep the spirit of maintenance culture to remain one of the best in Nigerian Universities. After deliberations by the Team members and the University Officials, the Vice Chancellor reaffirmed his words that the Team has done a good job and wished them safe journey back home.
The vote of thanks was given by the Dean of College of Science and Engineering Engr. Prof. J. S. O Adeniyi and closing prayer by Engr. Dr. Osueke.
The meeting closed at 13.20pm.
1 APPRECIATION : The Team is grateful to the President, Registrar and members of Council of COREN for given this opportunity to serve in the National assignment.
Engr. Prof. J. O Olajide, FNSE
Team Leader