By Precious Nebo
The Governing Council and Management of CICA-International University & Seminary, Orlando, Florida, USA, held a 3-day symposium and awards night with special guest lecture on the art of establishing Inaugural Lecture Series with the 97th Inaugural lecturer of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka-Nigeria, Professor Williams Emeka Obiozor from Friday October 18-Sunday October 20,2024, at the Rosen Centre Hall in the Orlando.
In his welcome remarks, the Chancellor of CICA-International University and Seminary, Rt. Hon. Dr. Phillip Phinn welcomed the Guest lecturer and participants to the annual University Symposium and reiterated the university has a long-standing principle of working with people from diverse cultures while pursuing the goal of research, teaching and faith-based programs to promote peaceful and progressive lives of human beings.
The Chancellor hailed the innovative packaging of faculty training on instituting Inaugural lectures which he said will strengthen faculty commitment and excellence in the teaching and research fields.
Speaking at the symposium, the Guest speaker Prof Obiozor deliberated extensively on the procedures of instituting an Inaugural lecture series in the university taking cues from his own University in Awka-Nigeria, Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, the Coventry University in the United Kingdom, and European universities.
The lecturer went on to inform that the Inaugural lecture if established will introduce new research outcomes and reports of scholars on a professorial cadre.
He explained that the essence of full professors engaging in the Inaugural lecture programs in their institutions gives exposure, recognition and appreciating his or her years of active research, teaching excellence and community services while serving the institution.
According to Prof Obiozor, ‘Inaugural lectures provide our professors with the opportunity to share their achievements in research, innovation, engagements in grants, teaching activities before an audience which includes members of the University community and the public. It is not a mandatory program because some professors, due to some personal circumstances may not be able to present the lecture before retirement while unfortunate ones may be deceased before their time for such presentations.
Prof. Obiozor accentuated an inaugural lecture to celebrate life in the field of academia, a thing of pride, joy and excellent accomplishments which every erudite professor looks forward to becoming a participant. The event usually features people from all works of life, feasting and exchanging ideas, networking, social interactions amongst colleagues.
Highlights of the paper presentation included a special training workshop session with the professors and faculty at CICA-University; awards of Excellence plaques and Certificates presentation to Doctoral degree graduands and deserving faculty members by the Chancellor of the University. The Symposium, training and award ceremony was presided by the President of the CICA-International University, H.E. Rev. Dr. Sharon J. Baquedo-Phinn. Prof Obiozor was also appointed a visiting professor position, as well as offered a fellowship program subject to the approval of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
Speaking to reporters after the symposium, the first Inaugural lecturer of CCA-International University and Seminary, Prof. Ada JUNI Menakaya explained that CICA International University and Seminary is expanding its academic and research scope with the annual symposium whereby Inaugural lectures will be held by deserving professors. This is the first of its kind in America and we are happy to have Prof Obiozor, the Dirextor of CENDASNER, in our midst to help us midwife the project take off. “We are repositioning CICA-International University and Seminary for global excellence and development, she concluded. The symposium and awards event ended with a mandate call by the University Chancellor and a prayer of charge to all graduates and award recipients to position ourselves to all we are asked to do as builders of humanity.
