By Amaechi Agbo

Three staff of the ENUGU StateUniuversity of Science and Technology (ESUT) are currently in Frankfurt, Germany attending a one-month Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor due to join them on Monday.

ESUT Monitor gathered authoritatively that the three lecturers were selected for the training based on advice of the organisers of the workshop, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

According the the DVC in an exclusive interview with ESUT Monitor in his office on Thursday, the four staff include the Director of Research and Innovations, Professor Harmonay Nwobodo-Nzeribe, Dr. Celestine Nwobodo and Dr Thomas Onah and the VC

He noted that the training which begn on September 8 will last till October 3rd adding that ESUT Staff were selected from among 21 university staff from Enugu State and Nigeria at large.

“This trip is arranged by GIZ, a German based agency which has office in Abuja, to train those in selected higher institutions in Nigeria. We have some people coming from Lagos, Abuja and Enugu, attending the workshop in Germany on skills acquisition and youth empowerment.

“There are four selected staff from ESUT based on special areas they indicated that the staff should come from. They mentioned Mechatronics, and that is why Dr Onah Thomas was selected, he was the former HOD of the department. They mentioned Biomedical and Engineering Computer, so Prof. Harmony Nwobodo-Nzeribe was selected and the third staff is Dr. Celestine Nwobodo fron Civil Engineering

“The fourth person, according to the letter should come from Management, preferably the Vice-Chancellor but because of other engagements, the VC now asked me to go on his behalf. Those are four of us selected for the training,” the DVC explained.

He noted further that the participoants were grouped into two – Teachers and Advisory Groups – stressing that while Teachers Group’s workshop started on September 8 and will end on October 3rd, the Advisory Group’s workshop will commence on 15th and end on 26th September.

“They grouped us into two – Teachers  and Advisory Groups.In the Advisory Group, there are about 13 of us all over the country, five of us from Enugu State.In the Teachers Group, eight persons were selected from Enugu whereas ESUT has three.

“The Advisory Group Workshop began from 15th and will end on 26th of September. The Teachers Group will run from 8th September to 3rd October, 2025. The three slected staff are currently in German recieiving the training.”

Speaking with ESUT Monitor from Franfurt, the Director of Research and Innovations and Head, Department of Biomedical Scoiences, Professor Harmony Nwobodo-Nzeribe said the aim of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training, (TVET) is to promote innovation through practical, hands-on, and competent-based, ultimately, the programme enhances employability and entrepreneurship opportunities for learners by equipping teachers to provide education that prepares students for real-world work environments.

“This is Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme organised by GIZ. The purpose of the GIZ TVET programme for teachers is to build the capacity of educators by strengthening their professional skills and pedagogical methods, modernising teaching in line with current industry standards, and ensuring that vocational training remains relevant to labour market needs.

“It aims to promote innovation through practical, hands-on, and competency-based approaches while improving the overall quality of TVET delivery. Ultimately, the programme enhances employability and entrepreneurship opportunities for learners by equipping teachers to provide education that prepares students for real-world work environments.

“In line with this, the revised teaching method of 30:70 is needed to make learning more practical, relevant, and learner-centered. By devoting 30% of the time to theory and 70% to practice, it increases active participation, strengthens understanding, and enhances retention. This approach emphasizes application over rote learning, enabling learners to develop problem-solving abilities, hands-on competence, creativity, and confidence. It ensures that classroom lessons are linked to real-world situations, thereby promoting innovation, critical thinking, and employability,” she siad.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, (GIZ) is Germany’s leading development cooperation organization, implementing projects in sustainable development, employment, energy, and peace for the German government and other partners. Founded in 2011 from a merger of previous agencies, it focuses on partner-oriented, transparent, and efficient support for change and the implementation of sustainable development goals worldwide.