By Ali Hope and Alinta Joy

The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) will today hold its 52^nd Inaugural Lecture.

Colloquially regarded as the “Academic Ofalla”, the 52^nd Inaugural Lecture will be delivered by Professor Harmony Nwobodo-Nzeribe.

 Anchored on the theme: “Engineering Solutions for a Healthier Tomorrow” Professor Nwobodo-Nzeribe will be dissecting the imperatives and usefulness of engineering in making the society better.

The Lecture will hold at the Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah multipurpose Auditorium in ESUT Main Campus, Agbani starting by 11am.

Professor Nwobodo-Nzeribe, the ESUT Director of Research and Innovation and the pioneer Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, stands as a iconic figure in Nigerian academia. Her lecture is historic, as she will be the first female Professor of Engineering in ESUT’s history to deliver an Inaugural Lecture, cementing her status as a role model and a vanguard for women in STEM.

Frsh from her one-month visit to Germany on vocational training, Prof. Nwobodo-Nzeribe’s distinguished career is built on a foundation of robust international education and a commitment to interdisciplinary research. Her academic credentials include a Ph.D. from Nnamdi Azikiwe University and advanced postgraduate studies, including an MPhil in Biomedical Technology from Anglia Ruskin University, UK. This unique blend of computer and biomedical engineering expertise has enabled her to foster significant international collaborations with institutions in the UK and China, bringing global recognition to ESUT.

Her professional stature is affirmed by her registration with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and her membership in numerous prestigious bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) in the United States, and the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), where she served as the immediate past branch chairman. She is also a Fellow of the College of Biomedical Engineers and Technologists of Nigeria.

The professor’s scholarly output is as impressive as her administrative and professional achievements. With a prolific publication record that includes over 46 Journal research papers in indexed in google scholar, SJR, resaerch gate and thomson ruter respectively. Published over 15 conference papers, and 10 authored books, her work has consistently contributed to the global body of engineering knowledge. Her research is readily accessible on major platforms like Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and others, ensuring wide dissemination and impact.

The lecture is expected to be a synthesis of this vast body of work, presenting a cohesive vision of how engineering can directly confront health and societal challenges. Attendees can anticipate insights into cutting-edge developments in smart medical devices, health informatics, and innovative systems designed for practical, life-enhancing applications.