One of the leading Technology Universities in England, the University of Bradford, will on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, hold its annual graduation ceremony. Highpoint of the event will be the conferment of an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Education on Prof Akaneren Idem Essien OON, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo.
Prof Akaneren Essien, an accomplished scholar and a seasoned administrator of high repute is a Professor of Animal Science and the third substantive Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Uyo as well as a former acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Animal Production and presently with the Department of Animal Science, Akwa Ibom State University.
According to a letter from the University of Bradford endorsed by the Vice Chancellor and addressed to Prof Essien, his contribution to higher education in Nigeria and his support in developing links with the University of Bradford accounted for the reason why he would be awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Education.
“With over 50 years of academic excellence, Bradford is a leading Technology University. We have continued to grow our international reputation and course provision and we are one of very few research – intensive technology universities in the UK. Our motto is making knowledge work. This means that we believe in providing professional and vocational courses with excellent job prospect for our graduates, and in doing cutting edge applied research with direct benefits to people and society. Every year the University of Bradford presents Honorary awards to outstanding individuals who have made a major contribution to society and who can act as role models for our graduating students.” The letter stated.
In recognition of his outstanding public service performances to Nigeria, the Federal Government of Nigeria had conferred on him, national honours in the category of the Officer of the Order of the Niger OON in October, 2022.
In his 39 years in the Nigerian university system, Prof Akaneren Essien has served creditably in various capacities, rising through the ranks in teaching, research and community service, leading to his appointment as Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo, Nigeria in 2005. His tenure as Vice Chancellor witnessed the turning around of the fortunes of the University for the better in so many ways leaving a legacy of monumental achievements in academic and research infrastructure and human resource development.
He is currently the Pro Chancellor of Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom State, a fast developing private University in Nigeria, that will be exploring academic collaboration with the University of Bradford in Engineering and Nursing Sciences. He successfully served as the Chairman of the Planning and Implementation committee of the recently licenced Private University, Amadeus University, Amizi, Abia state.
Prof Akaneren Essien had served as Chairman of federal government appointed visitation panels to some tertiary institutions in Nigeria, producing far reaching reorganisations in those institutions. From 2011 to 2017, he was a Visiting Scholar in the National Universities Commission NUC Abuja. There, his appointment as Chairman NUC Standing Committee on Private Universities led to outstanding contributions in the modalities that were used for the evaluation and licensing of private universities in Nigeria. Twenty two new private universities were established during the period.
The convocation ceremony of the University of Bradford where Prof Akaneren Idem Essien OON shall be conferred with a Degree of Doctor of Education shall hold on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 in the University campus at Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. A program of events released from the University indicates that Prof Essien will be taken on a guided tour of the University campus, he will be availed the opportunity to address the congregation immediately after the conferment
