By Onyekachi Agu and Ruth Ani

The Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) has announced date for its maiden Public Lecture.

The Public Lecture which is organised in collaboration with the Nkanu West Local Government, will hold on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at the Professor Julius Onah Auditorium, ESUT, Agbani commencing by 11am.

Themed “From Classroom to Communities: Bridging the Gap between Health Science Education and Community Healthcare Delivery,” marks a significant step towards creating a synergistic relationship between academic institutions and local government to tackle pressing health challenges especially at the grassroots.

The lecture is designed to serve as a platform for academics, healthcare professionals, government officials, and community leaders to engage in robust discourse. The core objective is to develop actionable strategies for translating cutting-edge health science knowledge from university classrooms into effective, sustainable, and accessible healthcare solutions for local communities, particularly within the Nkanu-West area and beyond.

The Vice-Chancellor, ESUT, Prof. Aloysius Michaels Nnabugwu Okolieis the Chief Host of the Public Lecture which will be hosted by the Provost of ESUT College of Medicine (ESUCOM) Prof. Uchenna Ekwochi while Hon. John Ogbodo, Chairman, Nkanu-West Local Government Area, will serve as the Chairman of the Occasion:

Prof. Humphrey Afam Nwobodo, Dean, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, is the Co-host.

The keynote address will be delivered by Prof. E.I. Obi, a distinguished expert expected to provide deep insights and frame the conversation around innovative models for community-oriented healthcare education and delivery.

The Dean, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Professor Humphrey Nwobodo in a chat said the lecture is a critical alignment of curriculum with market and community needs as well as a catalyst to implementing experiential learning in the faculty noting that the partnership with Nkanu-West LGA will crystallise into awareness creation and the complementary roles both the university and government will plan in enhancing healthcare education.

“Our students receive rigorous theoretical training, but true competence is achieved through application. This partnership with Nkanu-West LGA opens a direct pipeline for community immersion, for field-based research, and for our students to understand the socio-cultural determinants of health that you cannot find in a textbook.

“The significance for our students is monumental. They will cease to be mere spectators and become active participants in the healthcare ecosystem of their state even before graduation. They will gain firsthand experience, fostering a spirit of service and innovation that will define their careers.

“For the communities in Nkanu-West and beyond, this signifies a direct infusion of expertise. It means access to health awareness programs, potential screening exercises, and collaborative efforts to tackle prevalent health issues like malaria, hypertension, maternal and child health challenges, using data-driven approaches developed jointly by the LGA and our researchers,” he said.

The lecture is open to the public, including healthcare workers, students, academics, policymakers, and community members.