Elochukwu Benjamin
Awka
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state has expressed its preparedness to partner with the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) to build a modeling studio for the Department of Urban and Regional Planning (URP) of the institution.
Vice Chancellor, Prof Bond Anyaehie disclosed this while receiving members of the Institute during their visit to the University as part of activities marking the 60th Anniversary of the body.
He also promised to ensure accreditation of the department soon, just as he pledged more classrooms for improved conducive learning environment for the students.
“We don’t need to wait for two years to get the department accredited. We’re targeting February. We’re also putting up more structures to ensure our students learn under conducive environment.
“I don’t like seeing students stand to receive lectures. That’s why we’ll work together to see what we can do so that students of Urban and Regional Planning enjoy like others,” he assured.
Earlier, State Vice Chairman, NITP, Prof Chinedu Okoye said the modeling studio had become necessary being part of the requirements for accreditation of the department.
He stressed the need for soon accreditation of the department as well as increase in students enrollment, appealing to the VC to assist in facilitating the process.
He said, “Last year, department of Urban and Regional Planning got interim accreditation from NUC during which they told us we need a modeling studio.
“Currently, we have a good number of year two students, over 100 of them. But in our 300 level, we have above 20 students.
“We’ve already put up a design for the studio which we’ve submitted to your office. We’re hoping it will soon be graciously approved.
“We also need your favour in the ongoing admission exercise by giving us more students, especially now our admission requirements have been modified to accommodate more students.”
Okoye, who doubles as Head of Department further disclosed establishment of an annual cash award and certificates for the Best Graduating Student in the Department by the Institute.
“The award will promote academic excellence, encourage healthy competition among students and inspire young planners to pursue the profession with dedication, integrity and innovation,” he added.
Also speaking, immediate past HOD, Dr. Alom Anselem expressed optimiism of soon commencement of the studio construction in view of availability of necessary requirements.
He said design of an ideal modeling studio for the department had since been submitted which the VC had accented to.
According to him, the letter is with the Physical Planning of the department, with continued discussions following visit by relevant officials to the department.
He said, “The studio is very important to every department of URP because
every layout design structure must be accompanied by a model and these designs are not done in classrooms, but in a modeling studio.
“Besides, every student of the department is expected to pass through the studio because every graduate of URP must be acquainted with the knowledge of modeling.”
Addressing students of the department, a member of the Institute and lecturer in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Ijeomah Obinna urged them to take their studies seriously to ensure they benefited from boundless opportunities in the profession on graduation.
