History of Chemical Engineering

HISTORY OF DEPARTMENT

1.0 HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE PROGRAMME
1.1 Introduction
Chemical Engineering and its allied courses are central to the industrial growth of any society. Chemical Engineering basically uses the principles of physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and together with economics and human relations in design of equipment in order to convert raw materials to useful products for the benefit of mankind. It seeks to improve the quality of life by providing knowledge and expertise in the area of chemical process plant design, operation, production and process economics.
The department offers courses leading to the award of Bachelor of Engineering Degree (B.Eng), Masters of Engineering Degree (M.Eng), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Chemical Engineering.

1.2 Brief History
The Department of chemical engineering was established by the Senate of the University, under the chairmanship of Prof Pita Ejiofor, the vice-chancellor of the university, in September 2001. The first and second academic year students were admitted for the undergraduate programme in the 2001/2001 academic years. The first year students of the Continuing Education Programme (CEP) was also admitted in the same academic year. The founding HOD was Engr Prof O.D. Onukwuli and the same and current HOD is Engr Dr P.K. Igbokwe. The first set of students were graduated in 2004/2005 session.

1.3     PROGRAMME PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES
The programmes offered are designed to ground the student in the specific professional area. It is also designed to allow for flexibility to enable the student adopt his individual programme to his career plans for employment in academia or for post graduate studies and research.
To this end, the main objective of Chemical Engineering Programme include:-
a) Training and development of graduates in Chemical Engineering with the necessary and required skilled to meet the demand for trained and highly skilled manpower for the chemical and allied industry as well as the academia and the Nigerian socioeconomic sector in general .
b) Production of graduate engineers with basic principals and skills required for planning design operations and management maintenance of the respective industrial plants.
c) Stimulation and motivation of the student for the attainment of excellence through the highest of achievement in the general engineering field through close affiliation with industry as a training ground for exposure to contemporary problems and hands- on methods of solving them.
d) Production of disciplined and self-reliant engineering graduates who would contribute to the overall development of chemical and allied industry and the Nigerian economy in general.

VISION
The Department of Chemical Engineering has as it vision to be the best Engineering Department in the Faculty of Engineering, the University and indeed to be ranked among the best Chemical Engineering Departments in the nation and the world at large.

MISSION STATEMENT
The Department of Chemical Engineering is committed to:
i. The provision of quality training to students through teaching and research to enable impartation of self confidence and result oriented ability, acceptance of obligations and responsibility, and the desire for life-long education and creativity.
ii. The training of engineering manpower who will positively impact government, industry and academia through the provision of expertise for national development.
iii. The production of engineering graduates with a wide and ordered knowledge in the discipline area and high ethical stand in personal and professional life.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The graduates of this department have career prospects in the following industrial sectors:
i. Petroleum refineries
ii. Petroleum industries involved in exploration and drilling, transportation, promotion and marketing
iii. Petrochemical industries
iv. Paints and plastics industries
v. General chemical industries including soap and detergent manufacturing industries
vi. Food and pharmaceuticals industries
vii. Research and development organization
viii. Engineering consultancy
ix. Design and construction companies