The AUN School of Engineering (SoE) began the Spring 2023 semester by crafting, producing and distributing catalogs to new and returning students. In both print and digital formats, the catalogs contained updated academic and regulatory information and codes of conduct for engineering students at AUN. There is a general booklet covering requirements in the entire School of Engineering and four separate booklets for each department – Chemical Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering, and Computer Engineering.
"Our teaching provides breadth and depth in the field of Engineering, nurturing strong theoretical and practical skills to set the foundation in the digital revolution. The balance between theory and practice elevates the students to the frontier of innovation in science and technology, thereby opening opportunities in government, industry and academic teaching and research", the aesthetically-pleasing catalogs stated in their opening pages.
On January 27, the Interim Dean of the School of Engineering, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Hussaini, offered insight regarding the motive and justification for pioneering the publication of the catalogs. Professor Abubakar Hussaini said the catalogs would guide the students through their academic journey and ensure that everyone understands what is required of them to successfully undertake an engineering course at AUN, while minimizing hitches, delays, and stress occasioned by inadequate or imprecise curriculum information.
Dean Abubakar told the students in his welcome message: "My Dear Students, as a guide to your successful career, I want to draw your attention to the fact that the catalog of the School is your most important guiding compass throughout your stay in AUN. You require it for a successful career. The document spells out the philosophy and objectives of the Engineering programs, according to the National Universities Commission (NUC) Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS). It also provides the codes of conduct, and specifies the 5-year course plan for each of the Engineering programs."
The Dean, who charged the students to be hardworking to accumulate the maximum credit units for graduation within their five years of study, explained that for engineering students, the minimum credit units for a semester is 18, while the maximum is 26.
"It goes without saying that Engineers are creators. They are the driving force behind the designs, buildings and innovations for sustainable development that shape the world we live in. As you join us at the School of Engineering in AUN, you will gain real-world experience, because we will teach you problem-solving skills and also teach you how to design and build to solve our societal problems. Mathematics, being an essential backbone for engineering, provides you with the platform to gage all the engineering principles, applications; and when you use it along with science, you can apply scientific principles to design, build and innovate for sustainable development."
The Dean also encouraged engineering students to identify their strengths in different courses and utilize them judiciously by participating in the Engineering Students Society's (ESS) tutorial classes to sharpen their skills and help the weak ones catch up, stressing that the core value of engineers is to identify problems and design a device to solve it. "This principle is still in place, so begin with yourselves. Community service also offers you other perspectives in problem identification.", the Dean explained.
Dean Abubakar advised the students to regularly consult with the School's Academic Advisor, Cosmas Izuchukwu Chigbo, an engineer and experienced academic counselor, to make the wisest course selection choice at the appropriate time.
He acknowledged the facilitation of the University's academic leadership, commending the Interim President, Professor Attahir Yusuf, and the Chair of the Deans' Council, Dr. Patrick Fay, for their encouragement and support.
Reported by John Abah