Zainab O. Adekanmbi Reports
The maiden edition of the Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD) International Conference took place in Owerri on 31st July, 2024 at the Cathedral of Transfiguration of our Lord (CATOL).
The conference was well attended by academic doctors from the southeast geopolitical zone.
The theme of the conference was Innovative Research and Sustainable development in the South East region.
There was paper presentations by the keynote speaker, Prof Charles Ogbulogo, Vice Chancellor Maduka University and other erudite scholars which includes, Prof Michael Mojekeh, Dr Lucy Apakama Mgbengasha, Dr Marcel Mbamalu, Chief Dr Uche Nworah and Dr Chudi Okoye.
Delivering a lecture on Exploring the leadership responsibility of the doctorate, Prof Charles Ogbulogo disclosed that universities have contributed 74% of ground breaking inventions across all fields of human endeavors and that quality research is critical to work education.
He emphasized the need for lecturers in tertiary institutions to assume the position of mentors not tormentors to students under their care.
Ogbulogo told Southeast scholars:
“Research facilitates new discoveries, builds the platform for error correction in human thought processes and provokes trans-generational sensibility when conducted in an atmosphere of trust. This atmosphere also builds a sense of responsibility, leadership and transformation. When supervisors become leaders, they would serve as mentors and statesmen committed to the future of the next generation.”
Other paper presenters also did justice to their work and charged scholars from all sectors in the southeast to take their rightful position as leaders to uplift and develop the region.
The Commissioner for Education Imo State, Prof John Cliff Nwadike served as the chairman of the occasion while the Commissioner for Youth and Talent hunt, Dr Emeka Ukaegbu was the Special Guest of Honour.
FOSAD is an umbrella body for all the PhD holders who hail from the five states of southeast region – Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo.
FOSAD boasts of over 100,000 members across the globe.