The African Centre of Excellence in Future Energies and Electrochemical Systems (ACE-FUELS) at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) has launched an innovative capacity development initiative, targeting undergraduate students in the University. The programme tagged ROUTINE, an acronym for “Research Opportunities for Undergraduates: Training in New Energies (ROUTINE)” was was launched on Tuesday October 12, 2021 at the ACE-FUELS Complex, and has the long-term objective of increasing the pool of scientists engaged in the very relevant and complex field of clean energy research, in line with the Centre’s vision, mission and mandate.
The focus on clean energy is driven by the importance and relevance of this topic to the development of the sub region, as well as the complex, collaborative, and interdisciplinary nature of research in this area. The ROUTINE programme currently has 78 students, with Dr. Cosmas Uche and Dr. Chioma Anyiam as programme coordinators.The ROUTINE Programme draws from FUTO’s strong research base in clean energy-related programs in physical, biological, environmental sciences and engineering and shall achieve its goals by focusing on 4th year undergraduate students from the Centre’s partner Departments, particularly female students, providing them with hands-on research experience in diverse topics in Clean Energy and Energy Materials. The program provides teaching, instruction, and research expertise in clean energy sources and materials, as well as targeted mentoring and support services to assist student participants in pursing postgraduate studies and careers in research. ROUTINE, as envisaged, shall enlarge the pool of undergraduate students that are interested in exploring clean energy research careers and create opportunities for up to 100 students over 5 years to participate in paid hands-on research experiences, mentoring, and complementary activities. Through these methods, ROUTINE will encourage undergraduate students to pursue research careers in clean energy, thus addressing a critical national and regional need.
The ROUTINE programme launch involved paper presentations on such topics as “Generic leadership skills for undergraduate students” by Ms. Chiagoziem Emereole and “Introduction to PowerPoint techniques for effective presentation” by Dr. Chioma Anyiam. The ACE-FUELS Centre Leader, Prof. Emeka Oguzie, in a paper titled “Youth know thy self”, introduced participants to the vision an mission of ACE-FUELS. He informed the students they are priviledged to have been selected for the ROUTINE programme and stressed the need for excellence and commitment to the programme and their studies. On their part, the students thanked ACE-FUELS for giving them the opportunity to participate in the ROUTINE mentoring programme and promised to be always at their best performance. The ROUTINE programme logo, an ingenious masterpiece designed by one of the student participants, Mr. Chukwuemeka Ede, was unveiled at the event. The ROUTINE programme currently has 78 students, with Dr. Cosmas Uche and Dr. Chioma Anyiam as programme coordinators
