The maiden edition of the Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD) International Conference took place in Owerri on 31st July, 2024 at the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord (CATOL).
The conference was well attended by academic doctors from the southeast geopolitical zone. The theme of the conference was Innovative Research and Sustainable development in the South East.
There was paper presentations by the keynote speaker, Prof Charles Ogbulogo, Vice Chancellor Maduka University and other erudite scholars which includes, Prof Michael Mojekeh, Dr Lucy Apakama Mgbengasha, Dr Marcel Mbamalu, Chief Dr Uche Nworah and Dr Chudi Okoye.
Delivering a lecture on Exploring the leadership responsibility of the doctorate, Prof Charles Ogbulogo disclosed that universities have contributed 74% of ground breaking inventions across all fields of human endeavors and that the quality research is critical to work education.
He emphasized the need for lecturers in tertiary institutions to assume the position of mentors not tormentors to students under their care.
Ogbulogo told Southeast scholars:
“Research facilitates new discoveries, builds the platform for error correction in human thought processes and provokes trans-generational sensibility when conducted in an atmosphere of trust. This atmosphere also builds a sense of responsibility, leadership and transformation. When supervisors become leaders, they would serve as mentors and statesmen committed to the future of the next generation.”
Other paper presenters also did justice to their work and charged scholars from all sectors in the southeast to take their rightful position as leaders to uplift and develop the region.
Addressing the conference, FOSAD President, Dr Stephen Nwala advised members to follow up on the Supreme Court ruling on the Local Government as a true tier of government, to go home and determine who will be their LG Chairman and who will represent their wards as Councilors.
His address also bordered on the institution of the association and its objectives which were reforming and restructuring of our education curriculum and tailoring it more to skill acquisition, and the correction of ills in the South -EAST Region. He posited that academics should bring positive developments in the southeast region by getting involved in the developmental activities. Hecondluded that the status of an academic doctor should influence and impact positively on the local community.
Highpoint of the event was the inauguration of the Pioneer Executives of FOSAD. These executives include;
Dr. Stephen Anayo Nwala -president
Dr Uzor Ngoladi- secretary
Prof.Joseph Okwesili Nkwede ( director of social)
Dr. Okafor Philomena Ngozi (assistant secretary)
Dr. Serah Alaeze Sam-Aguihe (financial secretary)
Dr John Ereke (treasurer)
Dr. mercy Ani (welfare officer)
Dr.Nnadozie Ozurumba (provost)
Dr. Viola Nicholas Okpara (USA
diaspora officer)
Dr.Chibuike Nedum Eunice (Canada diaspora officer).
After the inauguration, next on the agenda was adoption of the constitution. Dr Juliet Ekwugha Secretary of Constitution Drafting Committee officially made a presentation to the forum.
The Commissioner for Education Imo State, Prof John Cliff Nwadike served as the chairman of the occasion while the Commissioner for Youth and Talent hunt, Dr Emeka Ukaegbu was the Special Guest of Honour.
FOSAD is an umbrella body for all the PhD holders who hail from the five states of southeast region – Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo. FOSAD boasts of over 100,000 members across the globe.
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