The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) is embarking on a transformative journey by splitting its former School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET) into two distinct Schools.
This strategic decision aims to better align the university’s offerings with global academic and industry demands, ultimately enhancing the educational landscape for aspiring engineers.
The newly established institutions are the School of Infrastructural, Minerals and Manufacturing Engineering (SIMME) and the School of Electrical Systems Engineering (SESE).
This division is designed to provide a more specialized focus on the burgeoning technological and engineering needs within Nigeria, ensuring that students receive training that adheres to global best practices.
In a significant move, FUTA has appointed Professor Peter Kayode Oke, the former Dean of the now-defunct School of Engineering, as the pioneer Dean of SIMME. Meanwhile, Professor Adegoke Oladipo Melodi has been appointed as the Acting Dean of SESE.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, approved these recommendations, which were communicated through an internal memorandum by the Registrar, Mr. Charles Adeleye. The memo emphasized that the decision to split SEET was driven by the necessity to create an academic environment conducive to specialized research, innovative teaching, and a hands-on approach to engineering education.
Professor Oke, an accomplished scholar in Mechanical Engineering, has an impressive academic background. He was born on August 24, 1971, in Are-Ekiti, Ekiti State, and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Ondo State University of Ado-Ekiti (now Ekiti State University) in 1995 as the best student of his class.
He furthered his education at FUTA, obtaining his Master’s and PhD in 2000 and 2009, respectively. A member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Professor Oke has taught over 30 courses and supervised numerous postgraduate students, showcasing his dedication to advancing engineering education.
In parallel, Professor Melodi, born on April 14, 1971, in Lagos, is a distinguished figure in Electrical Engineering. He completed his Master’s degree at Kirovograd National Technical University in Ukraine in 1996, followed by a PhD in Power Systems Engineering from Moscow Power Engineering Institute in 2005. Joining FUTA as an Assistant Lecturer in 2000, Professor Melodi has ascended to the rank of Professor, making significant contributions to the field with over 50 published articles and the supervision of multiple Masters’ and PhD students. His academic excellence has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Best Researcher Award at FUTA in 2018.
The division of SEET, along with the appointments of Professors Oke and Melodi, represents a pivotal moment in FUTA’s commitment to elevate its academic programs. This development is set to enhance research opportunities and produce graduates equipped with specialized, in-demand skills essential for the evolving engineering landscape.
