The British Council – Innovation for African Universities (IAU) Programme’s Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Higher Education project’s team, on Wednesday, held an in-person workshop in Enugu State.
The workshop with the theme of the workshop was “Emerging Entrepreneurial Spaces and Communities”, took place at the Coal City University’s auditorium, was aimed at fostering innovation, promoting entrepreneurship education and employability for African graduates.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of Coal City University, Prof. Afam Icha-Ituma, welcomed all participants to the epoch workshop, adding that higher education in Africa is facing unprecedented challenges in the proper definition of its purpose, role and scope in the society.
According to him, Coal City University is tackling this challenge by “increasing its engagement with the wider society and expanding its entrepreneurial activities in order to drive economic growth and sustainable development”.
He also pointed out that “entrepreneurship and innovation are sine qua non for any growing economy to flourish”.
Prof Afam congratulated academics at Coal City University, University of Lincoln (UK) and African Development Institute of Research Methodology (ADIRM) for winning the British Council grant for the Innovation for Africa Universities (IAU) programme after a rigorous selection process.
He further noted that Coal City University would continue to support initiatives geared towards bolstering entrepreneurial activities among the student body by providing innovation hubs and mentorship programmes.
Addressing the participants at the workshop, the Principal Investigator of the project from the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, who also doubles as a Visiting Professor in Coal City University, Prof. Paul Agu Igwe, explained that the essence of the programme is to support graduates and students to develop the entrepreneurial mindset, sought-after competencies and skills needed to excel in today’s global labour market. He pointed out that more workshops and activities will be organized to grow the capacity of project partners for developing the culture of entrepreneurship and equipping graduates with skills needed to innovate and contribute to national development.
In his keynote remarks, Prof. David Rugara, the Head of International Affairs, Lincoln International Business School, University of Lincoln, UK, urged the participants to always think critically, share ideas and collaborate with the right people, with a view to
fostering innovation, the entrepreneurship culture and mindset among the academia and students.
He added that part of their visit to Coal City University was to strengthen the relationship between the University of Lincoln International Business School and Coal City University.
In his own key note remarks, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, the Director, Centre for Climate Change and Development, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, charged the participants to “think different” as entrepreneurs to be able to solve enormous societal problems.
He urged the participating Universities to encourage innovation through their teaching and to embed it in their practices in order to be among the leading entrepreneurial universities in Africa.
In his vote of thanks, Mr Okechukwu Chukwuemeka, pioneer Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, Coal City University and Chairman, Workshop Local Organizing Committee, thanked all participants for attending the workshop.
He especially appreciated the Vice Chancellor for his total support to the project; the project lead investigator, Prof. Paul Igwe for his sterling leadership of the project; keynote speakers and the principal officers of the University, erudite professors and other dignitaries that attended the highly successful workshop.
A workshop participant and Dean, Faculty of Education, AE-FUNAI, Dr Franca Ogba, said, “the experience and knowledge I gained from the workshop is very valuable”.
Another participant and Head, Department of Banking and Finance, University of Nigeria, Dr. Chinwe Okoyeuzu commended the workshop organizers saying, “it was just beautiful having the workshop at Coal City University, thanks to the organisers for making the workshop a success”.
Participants from the academia, industry and the wider society attended the workshop.
They included principal officers of Coal City University, Registrar, Rev. Fr. Dr. Mathias I. Odigbo; University Bursar, Lady Njideka Ani and the University Librarian, Mrs Ukwueze.
Other participants include the wife of the Vice-Chancellor, Lady Enuma Icha-Ituma; Dr Ntasi Igu, Head Department of Education Management, AE-FUNAI; Prof Nnamdi Okenwa of Department of Social Sciences, Coal City University; Mr Emmanuel Chukwuemeka, Meddlebelt and Eastern representative of Dizengoff West Africa and Engr. Cyril Chibuoke, retired civil servant and entrepreneur, among others.
