The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), on Saturday, inducted 885 graduands from the 10 departments of the Faculty of Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria as professional members.
They were inducted by the two regulatory engineering bodies at Maman Kontagora Square, Ahmadu Bello University, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.
The induction and oath-taking were administered by COREN and NSE. Registrar of COREN, Prof Adisa Ademola Bello, administered the oath of practice for the fresh engineers.
In his address at the well-attended event, the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof Kabiru Bala, wished the young engineers a successful practice as well as urged them to be God-fearing and good ambassadors of the University.
The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Provost, College of Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof M S Shehu, said that by virtue of the training they received it is expected that they would show resilience and humanity in their engineering practice.
Also, speaking at the occasion, the President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Prof Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, disclosed that plans to change the direction of engineering education in all Nigerian Universities are in the pipeline to meet up with the global benchmark.
Prof Sadiq noted that part of the steps taken by the council was a mandatory internship programme before going for the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) to enhance placements of engineering graduates and also mandatory renewal of practicing licence annually.
The COREN President also said that if implemented, each engineer would have the right to practice anywhere across the globe, in addition to attaining any position in both the public and private sector.
The President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Margaret Aina Oguntala, who was represented by the Chairman, NSE, Zaria branch, Engr. Agee A Agba, called on the graduands to be of good conduct, committed and dedicated to their work in order to serve humanity well.
She also encouraged them to participate actively in the course of their practice, as the engineering profession comes with great opportunities.
A guest lecture was delivered by an alumnus of the University, Engr.Ibrahim Abdullahi Maimaje, who spoke on ‘Importance of Professional Licencing in Engineering Career Progression’.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of awards and cash prizes to best graduating students.
Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof Kabiru Bala; COREN President; NSE President; Guest Lecturer; Managing Director, Kaduna Refinery; and COREN Registrar were all honoured for their tremendous support to engineering education.