By Ali Hope

Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) has upgraded its Postgraduate School to a full College of Postgraduate Studies, a strategic transition aimed at elevating the quality of advanced education and boosting the institution’s global academic standing.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with ESUT Monitor, the Provost of the new College, Professor Charles Chime, disclosed that the University Senate approval of the upgrade formalizes a collegiate structure that the university had effectively operated for years under the former postgraduate school system.

“It means a transition to a higher pedestal in PG administration,” Prof. Chime stated. “It is tailored towards improving the academic quality of postgraduate education and also enhancing our visibility to the global community.”

Explaining the operational shift, the Provost noted that the former Postgraduate School already coordinated academic offerings across faculties rather than allowing departments to operate independently.
“If it were a school system, the various faculties will handle their programme themselves without recourse to coordination. But in the college system, everything is harmonized.”

Detailing the administrative restructuring, the Provost highlighted that while the Vice Chancellor remains at the apex of the college, the executive head of the unit now transitions from the title of Dean to Provost. To strengthen internal governance, he revealed that two Deputy Provosts will soon be appointed to oversee distinct academic portfolios: one for Sciences, Engineering, and Technology, and another for Social Sciences, Management, and Humanities. This new framework replaces the former single Associate Dean model.

According to figures disclosed by the Provost, the College currently caters to between 4,000 and 5,000 students, having admitted approximately 1,400 postgraduate candidates in the outgoing session alone.
Looking ahead, Prof. Chime revealed that the university is targeting a long term enrollment figure of 7,000 to 10,000 postgraduate students.

Attributing the recent surge in postgraduate admissions to institutional reforms, the Provost explained that the college has introduced strict measures to eliminate academic delays and prevent students from abandoning their programs midway.

“We have put measures in place to ensure that students don’t overstay, maintaining synergy between supervisors and students to ensure graduation is not delayed,” he said, praising university lecturers for complying with the new efficiency standards.
Reflecting on initial operational hurdles, Prof. Chidume acknowledged that the postgraduate program previously faced oversight and infrastructural deficits.

“The PG school then didn’t have good, proper oversight of what happens in the faculties,” he observed.

To resolve this, the Provost outlined key interventions, including deploying official college representatives to every thesis defense across all departments and faculties to ensure uniform quality control and accurate record keeping.

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The Vice-Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, has charged the newly inaugurated Postgraduate Students’ Union Government executives to be result-oriented and attract more development to the university.

The Vice-Chancellor who was represented by the Dean of Postgraduate School, Prof. Charles Chime, stated this during the swearing-in ceremony Wednesday at the Postgraduate Studies Hall, Ebeano City and urged them to be partners in transforming the school.

Prof. Okolie, appreciated the outgoing executives led by Comrade Chinonso Obodo for serving the student community with humility and advised the new leadership on to be collaborative in championing a new chapter for the school.

“You know what you suffered to be here. You knew what you underwent to be elected. It is not probably because you are the best, but because you are one of the best and you have defeated some people.

“What I want to say is that you have to carry everyone along. It is an exercise: you can win, you can lose. In this election, there is no victor, there is no vanquished, everybody who contested has the interest of the school at heart and we appreciate you all. I therefore urge you to build bridges, be accommodating. You will have to embrace everyone so that your government will be one to be reckoned with,” he said.

He tasked the new executives to attract developmental projects to the school. 

“The other day I was telling the Vice-Chancellor to get a hostel for postgraduate students. He told me I should seek private partnership to build the hostel as a guest house, that the land is available.

“We have capable postgraduate students who can do it for us. I want to let you know that Umahi is a student in PG and he is building a hall for Engineering.  I implore the new executive to consider this. We need an auditorium, we need a library for the PG School.

He added that university management has a policy in motion to upgrade the School of Postgraduate Studies to College of Postgraduate Studies

The newly elected President stated his vision for postgraduate students of ESUT, citing that he wants to build a community that can partake in global competitiveness, welfare, and academic excellence.

Within one year, we will: “champion students’ welfare and academic ease, especially on PG verification, defense, and result issues. Ensure inclusive governance where every faculty and department is carried along. Drive digitalization and proper information dissemination for PG students. Facilitate linkages, seminars, and research opportunities that will expose ESUT PG students to the global academic world. Restore the dignity and  voice of the Postgraduate Union Government.

“We want to leave a legacy that the next administration will build on. 

“To all Postgraduate Students of ESUT, I say thank you for your trust and mandate. This victory is not mine alone, it is for all students,” he said, while thanking the outgoing president and the Dean of Postgraduate Studies.

He assured postgraduate students of an open, transparent, and student-driven administration. “My doors are open. Let us join hands to build the PG community of our dreams,” he said.

List of PG SUG new executive council members:  

Ahanonu Chidera Samuel – President

Okafor Nkechi Jennifer- Vice president

Nwoye Phillip- Secretary-General

Nebechukwu Charles Ifeanyi – Assistant Secretary-General

Onovo David Nnamdi- Financial Secretary

Nwankwo Izuchukwu Joseph – Asst. Financial secretary

Idoko Timothy Chukwudi- Treasurer

Ojiogu Kingsley Chukwuemeka – PRO

Ugwu Nnamdi Onyedikachi- Welfare Officer.

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The Dean, School of Postgraduate School of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof. Charles Chime, has revealed a significant rise in student enrolment and major reforms aimed at strengthening postgraduate education in the institution.

One of the reforms, according to him, is upgrading the School of Postgraduate Studies into College of Postgraduate Studies which he said would give the PG school independent to operate and be more functional considering the enormity of work carried out by the Vice-Chancellor as head of the school.

Prof. Chime, who assumed office in August 2023, disclosed that the postgraduate population stood at about 1,200 students when he took over, explained that postgraduate studies operate as a dynamic process, with students graduating on a monthly basis.

According to him, during the 2024/2025 academic session, 1,300 applicants were offered admission into various postgraduate programmes, while 980 registered describing it as a “tremendous” situation.

Speaking on the student performance, the Dean emphasized that postgraduate programmes are different from undergraduate studies, noting that students at this level are highly focused and intentional about completing their programmes within the stipulated duration.

He explained that the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programme runs for one academic session, with a maximum of three years; the Master’s degree spans 18 months, with a maximum of four years; while the PhD programme requires a minimum of three academic sessions. “Our students are extremely hardworking and serious because they do not want to overstay. We are intentional about our policies here and the target is to make the School of Postgraduate Studies more relevant globall.. Our visibility is growing and that is why the number of enrolment has increased tremendously over the period of time I am here.” he stated confidently.

Despite the progress recorded, Prof. Chime acknowledged several challenges facing the PG Studies. His Major challenges are administrative oversight, infrastructure lack, and the absence of essential facilities such as a dedicated postgraduate library and hostel accommodation for the students.

He revealed ongoing considerations to upgrade the Postgraduate School into a College of Postgraduate Studies. According to him, such a transition would provide a level of financial autonomy, enabling the college to manage its own budget and potentially employ staff independently. He added that if the structure changes, the head of the college would bear the title of “Provost” instead of “Dean.”

To address infrastructure challenges, the Dean disclosed plans to seek support from prominent individuals and political figures to establish a dedicated Postgraduate Library and an AI/ICT Hub. The proposed hub would provide students with internet access and digital learning facilities, easing academic stress and improving research productivity.

Describing his role as both prestigious and demanding, Prof. Chime noted that the Dean of Postgraduate School is often referred to as the “Dean of Deans” because other faculties operate under the postgraduate structure. He also acknowledged the Vice-Chancellor, Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, as the head of the Postgraduate School Board.

Rounding up the exclusive chat with ESUT Monitor in his office, Prof. Chime offered advice to Mass Communication students, urging them to be proactive and entrepreneurial even before graduation. Citing Nigerian media entrepreneur Linda Ikeji as an example, he encouraged students to leverage digital platforms to create opportunities for themselves.

“There is no job waiting for you after graduation because you have not failed until you quit to try. Journalism is an all-encompassing profession such that as a graduate, you can fit into many sectors of the economy. ”

He commended the Department of Mass Communication for sustaining the production of the ESUT Monitor Newspaper which he said has become the “go-to for news on happenings in the university. You are not only giving the university visibility globally, the paper is also training you students in the practice of the profession,”

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Postgraduate students of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, (ESUT) have been encouraged not to forsake their programme.

Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, ESUT, Prof Charles Chime gave the advice during one-day Orientation programme for the newly admitted students for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Addressing the students during the programme held at the PG Conference Room on Wednesday, Professor Chime enjoined them to be steadfast and always reach out to their HODs or lecturers when they face challenges that may threaten their programme.

The Dean who congratulated on being offered admission into the PG. warned them against playing truancy but should take their academics seriously 

 “We welcome you to ESUT School of Postgraduate Studies. And we are honoured to serve you. The respective programmes your have been admitted into is expected to give you an edge. Your various prorgrmmes ranging from Postgraduate Diploma, Master of Sciences to Doctor of Philosophy, are geared towards enriching you and making you a global individual.

“From day one you made up your mind to enrol in your programme, you will be having one challenges or the other. These challenges will come but the concern is how you will handle them. We have had cases of students who abandoned their programmes half way due to one challenge of the other. They will just leave the programme without informing everybody. Some will come back after so many years to continue from where they stopped.

“I want to advise you, please don’t abandon you programme. When you face challenges, talk to your HODs or lecturers and they will help you. They are there to guide you and ensure you did the right and will graduate on record time. It’s imperative to urge you to also own your work. Let your Dissertation or Thesis speak for you. When choosing your project topic, look out for ones that are very relevant to your field and that can contribute to discourse,” he said. 

In her speech, the Associate Dean of the SPGS, Dr Dorathy Abonyi advised the new intakes to take their programmes seriously stressing that the SPGS does not allow students to stay longer than their expected programme duration.

As at the time of this report, 582 students have been offered admission in Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) Master of Science (MSc) and Doctorate degrees (Ph,D)

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By Onyekachukwu Agu

Agbani – The Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof. Charles Chime, has expressed optimism that the ESUT Monitor Newspaper will surpass The Guardian Newspaper in the near future.

Prof. Chime made this assertion during an exclusive interview with ESUT Monitor reporters who visited him in his office. He praised the publication for its excellent work, particularly in publicizing the activities of the PG School

“I must commend the ESUT Monitor Newspaper for the good work they are doing,” Prof. Chime said. “I have no doubt that with continued hard work and dedication, they will surpass The Guardian Newspaper.

“I am dreaming that in the foreseeable future, you are going to be greater that Guardian Newspaper. Honestly, that is my dream and it can come to pass. If you continue in the trajectory you are going, it is achievable.

“I know at UNN and UNIZIK, they have similar newspapers but the way ESUT Monitor is making move, you have suppassed all of them,’ Prof Chime said.

The Dean also encouraged the reporters to pursue higher education, highlighting the various postgraduate programmes offered by the school, including Postgraduate Diploma, Masters, and Ph.D. He assured them that with a CGPA of 3.0 and above, they would be eligible for Masters programme after completing their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

As a show of support, Prof. Chime offered the use of the school’s security post as a stand for the ESUT Monitor Newspaper, acknowledging the publication’s good record.

“The ESUT Monitor Newspaper has already surpassed the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in terms of publication quality,” Prof. Chime noted, urging the team to continue their excellent work.

With this endorsement, the ESUT Monitor Newspaper is poised to reach new heights, solidifying its position as a leading publication in the academic community.

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By Amaechi Agbo

The Vice-Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie has confirmed the appointment of Associate Professor Dorathy Obianuju Abonyi as the Associate Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies.

Associate Professor Abonyi’s appointment was sequel to the recommendation of the Dean, PG, Professor Charles Chime.

Professor Chime told ESUT Monitor in an interview why she was recommended for the job.

“She is a Electronic Engineer from Electronic department, she was a the immediate past HoD of her department. We have seen her and she is someone that is very dedicated and resourceful. When the Vice-Chancellor wanted to appoint somebody as the Associate Dean, I recommended her. It wasn’t difficult to appoint her because we have seen her work,” Prof Chime said.

Associate Professor Dorathy Abonyi graduated with 2nd Class Honours Upper division in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from ESUT in 1999. She further obtained a Master of Engineering (M.Eng) degree of the same University in 2003.

She joined the services of ESUT in 2007 as an Assistant Lecturer after an earlier industry experience as a staff of The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) where she grew rapidly to Principal Engineer, FRCN Training School.

Dr. Dorathy later proceeded to the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom as Tetfund Scholar where she bagged ,Master of Science in Engineering with major in Data Communication Engineering and crowned it up with a PhD degree.

Dorathy has been a two tenure Head of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering with outstanding records of leadership. As HOD and in her quest for collaborative research and love for environment, she attracted two million naira fund from CBN to build an innovative ESUT BSG (Brainstorming garden) where researchers gather in small groups in a natural environment to build research ideas. She also attracted funds from other individuals to implement a digital display and signage in EEE and MPE building making the Departments stand out from any other Department in the University. As a Head of Department, Dorathy ensured that all students of the Department ready for graduation graduated on schedule. Her footprints in EEE department are too numerous to mention.

Dorathy, is currently an Associate Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of ESUT with over 40 Journal and Conference paper Publications in highly rated local and International journals and have attended several conferences in USA, UK, India, China, Italy, Morocco and within Nigeria where she presented original researched papers. She has been recently appointed the Associate Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, ESUT for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions.

She is versed in the Communication Systems Engineering where she has done works on Antennas, Radio wave propagation, Localization systems and other areas of Wireless and data communication Engineering. Dorathy has a special interest in Engineering management where she has published some papers and currently a part-time lecturer at ESUT Business school, Enugu.

She is a member of a number of Professional Associations including; the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Association of Professional women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Institute of Engineering & Technology (IET), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), International Association of Engineers (IAENG).

It is expected that Associate Professor Abonyi will bring her wealth of experience to bear in repositioning the School of Postgraduate Studies in ESUT.

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No fewer than five hundred (500) applications for admission to study various Postgraduate courses at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS) have been received, just as the management has announced 31st January, 2024 as deadline for the submission of online applications for the various postgraduate programmes in the institution.

The Acting Dean of the SPGS, Professor Charles Chime disclosed this in an exclusive interview with ESUT Monitor in his office.

The over 500 applicants are being considered for admission into the Postgraduate Diploma, PGD; Master of Science, MSc as well as Doctor of Philosophy, PhD programmes

“We have offered admission to over 100 applicants in a first batch admission, out of the over 500 applications so far received for the 2023/2024 academic year. We have also set 31st January as deadline for acceptance of applications. Once the portal is closed, candidates would not be able to access the online application for admission for the 2023-2024 session,” the Dean said.

Prof Chime emphasized that although the portal would be closed on the deadline day, the list of those offered admission will be published thereafter adding that the second batch of admission will be published in a few days.

“The second batch of the admission is coming out this week. When the portal closes on 31st, there would still be an admission list that will be published for candidates that applied close to the deadline. So, you will be expecting an admission list after that 31st because we would consider everybody that was able to purchase the form.

The Acting Dean added the era of admission letters not being issued immediately after publication of admission list is over as admission letter can now be printed online once the necessary payments have been made. He warned that students who failed to register on or before February 22, 202r will forfeit the admission.

“Candidates who have been offered admission can now print their admission letters online after paying acceptance fee. Candidates who have printed their admission letters should proceed to the portal, generate invoice for school fees, pay and proceed to SPGS to complete their registration.

“Candidates who were offered admission but failed to register before 22nd of February 2024 would lose their admission.”

 On the issue of overstayed PG Students, Prof Chime said that the School of Postgraduate Studies Board convened on Thursday, December 14th, 2023 and reached the following decisions regarding PG students who were admitted between the academic years of 2004 and 2019 but have yet to graduate.

“Students who were admitted between 2004 and 2016 will be required to withdraw from their respective postgraduate programmes, as their admissions have now lapsed. Therefore, they are no longer considered ESUT PG students from the academic year of 2023/2024.

“However, PhD students in this category with 2016 registration numbers are given until 30th September 2024 to tidy up and graduate. Overstayed PG students who were admitted between 2017 and 2019 are granted until September 30th, 2024 to fulfil all necessary obligations and complete their studies. Failure to graduate within this timeframe will result in the loss of their status as ESUT PG students.

“The admission procedures for the academic session of 2023/2024 are currently underway and will conclude on January 31st, 2024. Those who have overstayed from either category aforementioned are welcome to re-apply for admission.”

He noted that orientation for the newly admitted postgraduate students is expected to hold before the matriculation ceremony on February 23, 2024.

Professor Chime expressed the university’s commitment to providing a seamless transition for new and returning students.

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