SBMT Holds Maiden Academic Workshop on Project Writing for Final Year Students in Abia Poly

 

SBMT Holds Maiden Academic Workshop on Project Writing for Final Year Students in Abia Poly

Abia State Polytechnic, Aba was agog as the students, lecturers and other notable dignitaries from far and near turned out in their numbers to participate in the maiden Academic Workshop on Project Writing for the final year students of School of Business and Management Technology (SBMT).

The well-attended workshop-the first of its kind in the annals of the School of Business and Management Technology held at the ICT Auditorium on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

The large hall was full to the brim and those who came late had to stand outside. The workshop was so exciting and would remain indelible in the memory of the students.

It commenced with an opening prayer by Rev. Dr. Azu Kalu Oko, one of the resource persons and Director, Life Circle Counselling and Research Centre, Aba.

In his opening remarks, the facilitator and Dean, School of Business and Management Technology (SBMT), Dr. Chinweoke Nwaeze appreciated the presence of the large number of students, lecturers and distinguished guests.

He said that the project would help to enhance the intellectual capacity of the students and implored his colleagues to make sure they get involved in the project of students under their supervision to ensure a positive outcome stressing that at the end of the day they are going to append their signatures to their project.

He congratulated members of the local organizing committee led by Chukwu Maurice Kalu of BAM Department for making the milestone workshop a reality.

He gave resounding kudos to the Rector, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Engr. Dr. C. K. Okoro. for graciously approving the workshop.

Dr. Chinweoke Nwaeze lauded the Rector’s giant strides saying that the school has witnessed tremendous changes within his few months in office.

He urged both the staff and students of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba to sustain their support for him as well as the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR).

He told the students and all those present to relax and enjoy the well-packaged and intellectual exhilarating workshop.

Thereafter, the Director of Ethics and Quality Assurance, Dr. Clement Ukandu declared the workshop open on behalf of the Rector.

It commenced with a lecture by Dr. Kingsley Onyekachi Onyele of the Department of Banking and Finance, Rhema University, Aba titled, “Topic Selection, Introduction and Literature Review.

He defined research as a universal activity that is understood by everyone. He said that some of the reasons for conducting research include: to contribute to existing knowledge, to affirm or refute existing knowledge, to award a degree, to provide a solution among others.

He harped on the need for research and outlined some of the processes that would help the students to carry out research such as topic determination and the process of report writing, which he said consists of five chapters namely introduction, review of related literature, research methodology, presentation and discussion of results, summary, recommendation and conclusion.

He said that the focus is on chapters one and two and went ahead to shed light on the nitty-gritty of research. His presentation drew resounding applause.

He entertained questions from the participants and after that the Dean, SBMT, Dr. Chinweoke Nwaeze congratulated him on his impactful lecture and presented a certificate of participation to him.

The second speaker, Dr. Okoroafor Onyedikachi Michael, the Director, Dataman Consult Services, Aba, did justice to the topic, “Research Methodology and Data Analysis”.

He said that research methodology comprises two perspectives namely primary data and secondary data.

He described research design, sources of data, population of the study, sample size determination, sampling technique among others as sine qua non for research and good project writing.

He x-rayed all the relevant research techniques or methodologies in a way that left no one in doubt about his proficiency in the topic assigned to him.

At the end, he fielded questions from the participants after which the facilitator, Dr. Chinweoke Nwaeze commended him and presented a certificate of participation to him.

The last speaker, Rev. Dr. Azu Kalu Oko, the Director of Life Circle Counselling and Research Centre, Aba lectured the participants on the topic: “Summary, Conclusion, Recommendation and References.

In his animated lecture, Rev. Dr. Azu Kalu Oko flayed the nation’s educational system, which he described as predominantly teacher-centred thus making it difficult for students to discover things for themselves or to face an assignment that requires skill squarely.

He described plagiarism or copy-cat syndrome among students and some researchers as suicidal.

He encouraged the students to be committed to their studies and pay attention to research, which he said would help them in overcoming numerous challenges, especially unemployment.

Thereafter, he expounded the nitty-gritty of his topic at great length with uncommon effervescence to the admiration of all and sundry.

According to him chapter five of every study contains the interpretation of the data analysis, the discussion of the findings, the implications of the study, conclusion drawn from the findings, recommendations of the necessary line of action as a result of the findings, limitations of the study and suggestions for further studies while the reference is usually on a separate page.

At the end of his lecture the question that loomed large was: “Why would Limitations of Study come in Chapter Five of every research work or study?”

Some of the people who asked the question were of the opinion that it should come in Chapter One.

However, after further elucidations on the thorny issue, it was agreed that Chapter Five is most appropriate for it.

A certificate of participation was also presented to him by Dr. Chinweoke Nwaeze.

The workshop lived up to expectations. There was no dull moment throughout the event.

One of the side attractions was a powerful talk by Ambassador Chukwu Obioma, the Star Ambassador of Property World African Network (PWAN) 2024-2028.

She exuded confidence as she spoke glowingly about the renowned real estate giant, PWAN.

She said that they are out to teach people who are interested in real estate how to sell property or land and also make money to build their own house.

She disclosed how she has benefitted from the business and encouraged everyone to find a way and join real estate business irrespective of what he or she is doing stressing that anybody who is not into real estate is cheating himself.

The icing on the cake was the majestic appearance of Abia State-born musician, Exnel of Aba Wu Yori Yori fame on the stage amid thunderous ovation.

The students went totally gaga as he entertained them with his greatest hits.

In a vote of thanks, the Vice President of the Student Union Government (SUG) and final year student of Accountancy, Moses Favour appreciated Dr. Chinweoke Nwaeze for the workshop adding that they have benefitted immensely from it.

She urged the students to take the lessons they learnt from the workshop very serious adding that it would help them in writing a very good project.

The workshop climaxed with a closing prayer by Rev. Chinwenmeri Nwaobia of Emmanuel Anglican Church, Osusu-Umule, Aba followed by light refreshment.

It was a huge success and attracted the presence of the students, so many lecturers of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba and other distinguished personalities from far and near.

Some of those present were Dr. Clement Ukandu (Director of Ethics and Quality Assurance), Mark Kalu A (Lecturer, BAM Department), Mrs. Chioma Uteh (Principal Lecturer, OTM Department), Okey Colbert Ezinne (Senior Lecturer, Department of Office Technology and Management), Aliche Kate Ugo (Lecturer, OTM Department), Obasi Asoh (Lecturer, BAM Department), Dr. Edward Chinedum F. (Accountancy Department, Abia Poly), Dr. Kalu Ifeanyichukwu (Lecturer, Department of Public Administration), Mrs. Okoro Uzoma Eunice (Lecturer, Business Administration and Management), Dr. Paulinus Obinna (Department of Public Administration), Mr. Daniel Nwankwo (Lecturer, Department of Accountancy), Mr. Francis Akobundu (Head of Sports Department, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba), Chief Ezindu Onyenwe Ubani (Principal Lecturer, Department of Public Administration), Dr. Onwuemeodo Atuoma (Department of Public Administration), Miss Iwehee Adaoma Uche (Business Administration), Dimoji Favour A (HoD, BAM), Obeka Chijioke Eme (OTM Department), Dr. Gaius Okey Happiness (HoD, OTM Department), Dr. Charity Ahum (HoD, Public Administration), Nnorom E. O. (OTM Department), Dr. Ezebunwa C. Ubani (Department of Accountancy), Uwakwe Uchenna (Department of BAM), Aguwamba Iheanyi J (Department of BAM), lheme Bennet (Department of BAM), Paul Avoaja (Banking and Finance), Chukwu Maurice Kalu (Department of BAM/Chairman, LOC), Obeka Chijioke Eme (OTM Department), Ikonne U. O. Esq (Marketing Department), Dr. Paulinus Obinna (Public Administration), Dr. Lovina Nne Osobase (Lecturer, BAM Department/Exam Officer), Mr. S. O. Ihesiulo (Department of Banking and Finance), Obeka Chijioke Eme (OTM), Dr. Edward Chinedum F (Accountancy Department), Dr. Mrs. Joan C. Okafor (BAM Department), Mrs. Tochi Ndubueze Nwakaego Blessing (BAM Department), Dr. Ukandu Clement Nwankwo (BAM Department), Nwankpa Linda Oluchi (Department of Accountancy), Njoku Lois Uchechi (Department of Office Technology and Management), Peter Chinyere P (OTM Department), Ezeogo Chima Igbokwe, Ph.D (Dean, School of General Studies and Communication Technology, Abia Poly, Aba), Dr. Ukaegbu Bede Ifeanyi (Department of BAM), Dr. Amaramiro Francis (HoD, Accountancy), Ike Faith Nneoma, Ukanwata Nwachukwu Ihunanya (Department of Banking and Finance), Nwosu Johnson Alozie (Mr. J. J), Chairman, Abia Angels Football Club among others.

At the end, the facilitator and Dean, School of Business and Management Technology (SBMT), Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Dr. Chinweoke Nwaeze bared his mind on the event in a chat with Jideofor Ugwanyi, the Publisher of Signal Magazine.

He also appreciated members of the local organizing committee comprising Chukwu M. K. (chairman), Mrs. Aliche K. U. (secretary), Ikonne U. O. (member), Dr. Isigwe O. P. (member), Dr. Mrs. Kalu U. E (member) and Mrs. Nwankpa L. O. (members) for their unquantifiable commitment to the success of the workshop. Excerpts.

Sir, let us meet you.
My name is Dr. Chinweoke Nwaeze. I am a Chief Lecturer in the Department of Banking and Finance and by God’s grace the Dean, School of Business and Management Technology (SBMT), Abia State Polytechnic, Aba. I hail from Itukpa in Obingwa local government area of Abia State.

Sir, can you briefly tell us what happened here today?

Ok, today, just like you witnessed, we had our first workshop on project writing for our final year students. Project writing is a prerequisite for them to graduate. So we took out time to take them through the skills of project writing by bringing in resource persons to lecture them. The scope of the workshop covered very important issues like topic selection, introduction, review of related literature or research methodology, data presentation and analysis, conclusion and recommendation as well as references. So, in a nutshell, we used today to equip our final year students with skills on how to write a very good project.

What motivated you to organize the workshop?
As an academic, one of my greatest assets or strength is research. The first two resource persons are in my team. So, I do not play with research. And for the fact that we also want our students to do well in their project, we said that it is important at this point in time to train them on the art of project writing.

How do you feel about the workshop?
I am elated just like everybody present including you. So, we are all very happy – the students, members of the faculty and the lecturers. And I must have to tell you that it would not have been possible without the approval of our amiable Rector, Engr. Dr. C. K. Okoro. He is an intellectual colossus and a quintessential administrator. He has been here for less than six months but he has brought lots of positive innovations to the school. I want to thank him immensely for graciously approving the workshop. My prayer is that God would keep guiding him. I also want to extend my profound gratitude to our dear governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) for his tremendous transformation of Abia State within a very short time in office. May God continue to bless him as he pilots the affairs of Abia State to greater height.

What is your message to the students?
My message to our students is for them to show seriousness in their studies so that at the end, they would make their parents proud. Education is not a laissez-faire activity. They must be committed. Like I said, we organized the workshop because it is something they need to know.

Who invited Exnel?
Exnel is a household name in the nation’s music industry. He is my brother and friend. This is not the first time he is coming around. Whenever I am doing a big programme I always invite him.

What are your parting words?
I assumed office as the Dean, School of Business and Management Technology (SBMT) on February 2, 2024. I must have to say that I have enjoyed the maximum cooperation of various HoDs, lecturers and students of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba. I want to say a very big thank you to them and also assure them that as the Dean of School of Business and Management Technology (SBMT), we are going to make SBMT an activity centre. There are lots of things we can do. So I want to call on them to support me, my office and the Rector.