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PREAMBLE
In today’s knowledge-driven world, leadership must be seen as serious business by any system or society that desires to make progress on all fronts. Little wonder then that any system could sink or remain afloat depending on the kind of leadership it parades. Transitions are critically important in the life of any organization and our dear faculty, like other faculties in the University of Nigeria, is about to undergo a transition in leadership. The faculty has gone through very challenging times in the recent past and past administrations have done their best to keep it afloat. To sustain the tempo of progress already attained, the faculty needs a dean who is open-minded, humane, student-friendly, empathic, energetic, vibrant, approachable, result-oriented, versatile, experienced, widely-travelled, transparent, unassuming and has the capacity to connect the dots. By default, Professor Ofokansi possesses these attributes and has the capacity to successfully navigate through challenges. It is for this reason that I present myself, in all humility, to serve as the Dean of our faculty for the next two years. In stepping forward to serve you as your dean, I am not unmindful of the enormous task ahead. With your support and goodwill, the faculty will be redirected to a sure-footed pedestal to continue to make steady progress and surpass our expectations. As I step forward in this journey of faith, may I crave your indulgence to solicit your support and your vote.
My Vision as Dean of Faculty
My vision is to provide transformational leadership with the view of improving our capacities as a faculty while creating an enabling environment for scholarship, teaching, research and innovation to thrive.
My Mission as Dean of Faculty
My mission is to harness and deploy all material and non-material resources and contacts, within and outside our Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, with a view to enhancing our capacities for scholarship, teaching, research, community service and innovation.
MY BRIEF PROFILE
Name: Professor Kenneth Chibuzor Ofokansi
Contact: Email: Kenneth.ofokansi@unn.edu.ng; Phone: +2348131245821
Educational Qualifications/Career Trajectory
B. Pharm. (1996); M. Pharm. (2000); Ph.D (2004)
Lecturer II (2000); Lecturer I (2003); Senior Lecturer (2006); Professor (2011)
Professor Kenneth Chibuzor Ofokansi at a Glance
Education
Professor Ofokansi studied Pharmacy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, graduating with a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree in December, 1996. His mandatory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) was at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Clinic as NYSC Pharmacist from February, 1998 to December, 1998. He obtained a Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) degree in Pharmaceutics at the University of Nigeria in February, 2000 while his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Pharmaceutics was obtained in 2004 at the University of Nigeria. Between March, 2007 and May, 2009, Professor Ofokansi was an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation post-doctoral Research Fellow; first, at Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany (Universitaet Muenchen) and later at Ruprechts-Karl University, Heidelberg, Germany (Universitaet Heidelberg).
Teaching and Research
Professor Ofokansi was employed in the year 2000 as Lecturer II in the Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His promotion to the rank of Lecturer I was with effect from 1st October, 2003. He was promoted to the rank of Senior Lecturer with effect from 1st October, 2006; and then, to the rank of Professor of Pharmaceutics/Biopharmaceutics of the University of Nigeria with effect from 1st October, 2011. For years, he has been deeply involved in promoting scholarship, human capital development, scholarly publications, mentorship of future talents/scholars and capacity building/strengthening on how to write research proposals for competitive grants.
He became an approved supervisor for postgraduate studies at the University of Nigeria in 2006. Since then, he has successfully supervised more than twenty five (25) Master’s degree students, four Ph.D students. Currently, he has over eight doctoral students, and numerous masters’ degree students under his supervision. He is a member of no less than nine Research Groups in the University.
Administrative Experience and Service to the University of Nigeria
Apart from his vast teaching and research experience, he has wide-ranging administrative experiences at various management levels of the University including headship of the Department of Pharmaceutics for three years between 1st August, 2013 and 1st August, 2016, as well as Director of Research in the same University between March, 2014 and April, 2016. These are in addition to membership of several Departmental, Faculty and University Committees spanning through a period of more than nineteen (19) years. Professor Ofokansi successfully championed, coordinated the academic programme and caused the establishment of the Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology from the already existing Department of Pharmaceutics.
As Head of Department of Pharmaceutics, he solved students’ problems with humility and with human face and spirit of comradeship without flouting extant rules and regulations, ensured prompt and timely release of examination results. His regime as Head of Department entrenched the principle of zero discrimination and victimization in the running of the departmental affairs. Staff welfare issues were treated with uppermost care and respect. Staff appraisal cases such as regularization, confirmation or promotion were handled promptly with merit and their outcomes were all successful.
In December, 2009; he was appointed Development Officer to the then Vice Chancellor, Professor Barto Okolo. Development Officers served as a Think-Tank to the administration of Professor Barto Okolo and were consulted on virtually all issues relating to the growth and development of the University. The appointment lasted for a period of four years. He discharged this responsibility with the highest level of dedication, and contributed significantly to the growth and development of the University. He is a member of many professional bodies such as Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN; Nigerian Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA); West African Society of Pharmacology (WASP); Controlled Release Society (CRS); and American Chemical Society (ACS).
Currently, Professor Ofokansi is the Director, International Collaboration/Linkages. For more than three years working closely with the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, he was part and parcel of the decision-making process in the University. He is a pioneer Board member of the Lion Science Park Ltd/GTE, an innovation ecosystem project that has won the University global visibility and international acclaim. Professor Ofokansi pioneered and negotiated the international collaboration agreement between the University of Nigeria and Lund University, Sweden in conjunction with Ideon Science Park, Sweden and Lundavision, AB, Sweden to provide mentorship and technical advice/assistance to UNN’s Science Park and Innovation Ecosystem project. As part of capacity building on how to manage Science Parks and Innovation Ecosystem; he organized a successful trip to Sweden which involved ten senior Faculty members selected to participate in a two week training programme on Science Park Management, Innovation Ecosystem and Entrepreneurship organized and facilitated by Lund University, Sweden in February, 2017. In September, 2018; the 14th Vice-Chancellor and Professor Ofokansi, led a team of five persons to the 2018 World Conference of the International Association Science Parks (IASP) which held from 2nd to 5th September, 2018 in Isfahan, Iran. The conference brought together science park and innovation ecosystem experts, as well as experts from technology-based incubators, academia, the public sector and business, under the theme “Towards sustainable cities and communities: fostering innovation ecosystems”. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1-17) and the expected role Science Parks can play in implementing UN Agenda 2030 in their cities, regions and nations were at the heart of the debate during the conference.
As Director of International Collaboration, he has demonstrated the highest level of competence in establishing and re-igniting cooperation with notable world class research institutions and universities such as Lund University, Sweden; Stockholm University, Sweden; Uppsala University, Sweden; Michigan State University, USA; Monash University, South Africa; Ideon Science Park, Sweden and so on. International donor agencies and development partners such as Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), Afrexim Bank, African Development Bank, Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation, Lundavision AB, Sweden, ACBF Zimbabwe, to mention only a few, are not left out.
Professor Ofokansi has been instrumental in networking and negotiations with academic and research institutions across continents which resulted in the signing, operationalization and activation of several important memoranda of understanding (MoU). These negotiations have often involved extensive travels within and outside the country to those universities. At the last count, the University of Nigeria, through the instrumentality of his office, has more than fifty operational MoUs with universities and institutions in the USA, Canada, Sweden, UK, Germany, Italy, South Africa, China, Taiwan, Japan, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Ghana, India, Kenya, Thailand, Tanzania, Vietnam, Cameroon to mention but a few. This position has brought me in close contact with global scholars/academics, innovators/researchers and entrepreneurs.
It is worthy to note that, Professor Ofokansi is a permanent member of the University of Nigeria Senate; and was Chairman of Senate Ceremonials Committee between April, 2016 and August, 2019. As Chairman of Senate Ceremonials Committee of the University of Nigeria, he successfully handled the planning and excellent execution of three key convocation and Founders’ Day celebration cycles in addition to more than forty Inaugural Lectures of the University and taken decisions critical to the successes of those sensitive events. Professor Ofokansi presented the widely received 140th inaugural lecture of the University of Nigeria entitled: “Breaking the barriers to Effective Peroral Drug Delivery” on 16th August, 2018. As Chairman of Senate Ceremonials Committee, he supervised, managed and provided impeccable leadership to about seventy-five staff members of the university who were members, as well as no less than seventeen sub-committees. It can be confidently ascertained that Professor Ofokansi regularly adopted the committee system in the discharge of statutory responsibilities assigned to him.
It is noteworthy that the University of Nigeria is the first and remains the only university in Nigeria to date to have successfully started a science and technology incubator (Roar Nigeria Hub), and also, the first and only, Nigerian university to have launched a university-based science park (the Lion Science Park). It should be noted that Professor Ofokansi played a key and lead role, as Director of International Collaboration/Linkages, in establishing wide-ranging network of advisors, mainly from Sweden, that resulted in the establishment of these two technological innovation outfits. He has been involved in the supervision of these subsidiaries. Professor Ofokansi has been in the forefront of efforts to strengthen these subsidiaries so as to make them reference points in innovation ecosystem and science park development in Africa. He chaired the local organizing committee (LOC) that organized the first international workshop on Science Parks and Innovation Ecosystem for National Development (SPIE4ND) in February, 2018. As a pioneer Board member of the Lion Science Park Ltd/GTE; he initiated and successfully established collaboration backed with MoUs with Ideon Science Park, Sweden; Oilserv Nig. Ltd; Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd; Dozzy Group Ltd; HUAWEI China/Nigeria; ACBF Zimbabwe and so on. It is on record that in 2018, Professor Ofokansi initiated the successful registration of Lion Science Park Ltd/GTE with the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) in Malaga, Spain as an affiliate member.
These positions have also brought him in close contact with very important personalities both from within and outside the University. In all the positions he was privileged to hold, he conscientiously demonstrated the highest level of discipline, determination, dedication, promptness, resourcefulness, transparency, fairness, honesty, humility, innovation and creativity. Times without number, Professor Ofokansi demonstrated that togetherness, resilience and team work are viable administrative strategies. In short, he has regularly demonstrated a passion for excellence through team work and deep commitment to creative and innovative change. His administrative experience, strategic advice and modest contributions at the central University of Nigeria administration resulted in a paradigm shift in development policy priorities towards R&D, creativity, technological innovation and entrepreneurship with positive outcomes as is evident in the Science Park, Tractorization and Incubator projects of the University of Nigeria.
As a result of the overt achievements already recorded by the University of Nigeria through the instrumentality of his efforts in the area of innovation and science park development, his team was recently approached independently by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMoST), Anambra State Government and the University of Malawi to offer expertise and technical assistance in setting up a National Science Park, an ICT Park and a National Innovation System respectively. This led to the development of separate proposals which were authored by a team of two persons comprising Professor Ofokansi and one of his colleagues. The proposal they submitted to FMoST was entitled, “SHESTCO Science and Technology Project – From Planning to Implementation” and was well received when they had a joint meeting with key staff made up of Directors and Directors-General of the Ministry in December, 2018. His efforts and that of his team members in the innovation space in sub-Saharan Africa also led to the University of Nigeria winning the “Most Innovative University Award” in Nigeria for the year, 2018. This award was organized and given by the Nigerian Technology Awards Group.
When deemed necessary and as the situation arose; Professor advised the Vice-Chancellor on academic and administrative issues especially as it concerned international collaboration/Linkages and senate ceremonials activities, fund raising on science parks/innovation ecosystem project and so on. As a member of the steering committee that pioneered the Science Park and Innovation Ecosystem project, Professor Ofokansi supervised the Project Team that designed an operational business model for Lion Science Park Ltd/GTE and the Roar Nigeria Hub. Both projects have been excellently rated by the Swedish Government, the Swedish Embassy in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, NITDA Nigeria, and HUAWEI China/Nigeria.
Global Visibility
Professor Ofokansi is visible in the cyberspace with over one hundred scholarly and high quality publications in reputable national and international journals. He has presented over forty (40) conference/workshop papers nationally and internationally. As at Sunday, 23rd May, 2020; his Google Scholar Citations stood at 787, with an h-index of 16 and an i10-index of 25.
External Engagements
Outside of the University of Nigeria; he has gained modest academic and administrative experience nationally and internationally. Between March, 2007 and May, 2009, he received a research fellowship from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for post-doctoral Research Fellowship, first at Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany (Universitaet Muenchen) and later at Ruprechts-Karl University, Heidelberg, Germany (Universitaet Heidelberg) where he worked on the development of a gelatin-based nanoparticulate formulation for the oral delivery of human insulin under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Gerhard Winter, Dr. Conrad Coester and Prof. Dr. Gert Fricker. He won the TETFund National Research Fund worth N25 million in 2015 as a co-investigator and also won six different research grants through the TETFund Institution-Based Research Fund between 2015 and 2017.
Areas of Research Interest/Summary of Expertise
Professor Ofokansi has deep research interest in the formulation of polymer-based nano- and micro-particulate drug delivery systems; novel controlled delivery of various pharmaceutical actives; targeted drug delivery and formulation and delivery of proteins and peptide-based drugs, transdermal drug delivery systems, solid dispersions and lipid-based colloidal delivery systems. He has interest also in social health/pharmacy research. Prof. Ofokansi has expertise in bioanalytical techniques, cell culture and handling of laboratory animals. He has designed and conducted research in the areas of novel drug delivery and analytical methods development, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, pharmaceutical applications of ex vivo systems to study drug absorption from bioadhesive systems, polymer-based nanoparticles and microparticles. He has skills in biopharmaceutics and pharmaceutical microbiological techniques and biotechnology. He has conducted experiments involving the use of Caco-2 cell to study intestinal drug absorption from nanoparticulate drug delivery systems.
Membership of Professional Bodies
Prof. Ofokansi is a member of the following professional bodies/organizations: Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Nigerian Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA), West African Society of Pharmacology (WASP), Controlled Release Society (CRS), International Association for Pharmaceutical Technology (APV), American Chemical Society (ACS), and American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS).
Synthesis of my selected Modest Accomplishments
I have been a Professor of the University of Nigeria for more than nine years.
I Served as the Focal Officer for the establishment and launching (May 26, 2017) of the first and only university-embedded Incubator (The Roar Nigeria Hub) in sub-Saharan Africa at the University of Nigeria. The Roar Nigeria Hub is up and running and has stimulated our young students to unleash their creative/innovative potential leading to the emergence of more than 50 startup businesses including Green Hills E-Pharm, Jakomita, Ritenanny, Cap, Nuelcy Farms, Pay Rent, Faju, Love Cake, V-Queue, Uni-Sell, Tads-Test and Drugs, Ronil Air, Fish Max, Gas Link, Softronic, Schoolsfocus, Car Immobilizer, My Career Manager, etc.
I Served as the Focal Officer under the Vice Chancellor for the establishment of the first and only university-based Science Park (Lion Science Park) in sub-Saharan Africa, The Lion Science Park already has a number of resident companies including some startups that matured into it from the Roar Nigeria Hub including Trillzapp, Aristokrat, Viostec, Alphotazi Farms, Jullytech, Glosart Nigeria, Arone, etc. (i) TRILLZAPP is an android application that enables professionals and other people to discover events happening around them based on their location and preferences. It is natural for a tourist to seek meaningful connections with people, be present at the best business and social events; (ii) PEEPSCREEN is a data analytics and loyalty solutions Aggregations Company that helps SMEs particularly those in the retail sector grow and retain business by leveraging on a deeper understanding of customer needs and shopping patterns; (iii) ALPHOTAZI FARMS provides modular garri processing plants in rural areas to help farmers process cassava more hygienically and efficiently while delivering well-packaged, healthy garri to the market; (iv) AGROMMERCE is involved in the business of aggregating farmers and their products, linking farmers to big market through online platform, and disseminating their products to bulk buyers like food mart, processing industry, restaurants etc; (v) PAYMESO is a fast and secure platform for peer to peer exchange of cryptocurrency. It uses block chain technology to create secure platform for exchange of Bitcoin currency and escrow services. (vi) ARONE is a drone delivery company that is building the future of personalized drone delivery in Africa. ARONE is applying high-tech to solve everyday problems encountered with the traditional delivery system by providing fast, secure, eco-friendly and cost-effective delivery, with their target market being emergency health supplies, e-commerce and food delivery; (vii) ARISTOKRAT produces Solis which is a Solar Powered Phone Pouch that enables users charge their phones on the go. With Solis, you do not need to worry about losing phone connection with business partners and loved ones as a result of depletion of your phone’s battery. All you need to do is just get the pouch, wear it on your phone and take a walk for power; (viii) JULLYTECH is on a mission to provide personalised, reliable, efficient, and convenient security solutions for homes, offices, institutions and corporate organisations at an affordable rate. Their technology makes use of revolutionary and innovative applications of satellite technology, as well as artificial intelligence. The park has also been admitted into the Membership of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) under my coordination.
I Served as Focal Officer and was instrumental in the initiation of the first ever and only university-based Tractorization project in Nigeria in partnership with the private sector. This initiative involves assembly of CKD and SKD parts of tractors utilizing indigenous university-based skills and expertise. Construction work at the tractor assembly complex has reached an advanced stage and will soon go into full operation. Already, eight SKD tractor parts have been brought in and awaiting assembly at the complex while about forty more SKD tractor parts are being expected anytime soon before a national roll-out ceremony.
I Served as Focal Officer/Coordinator of the University of Nigeria team invited, in 2018, by the Malawian Government to help set up a Science Park and a national innovation system for the country. For this invitation, a proposal which I co-authored and entitled, “Establishing Science Parks and Incubator Hubs to Improve Innovation Ecosystem in Malawi” was submitted for adoption by the Malawian Government.
I was invited as member of University of Nigeria team to a brainstorming session, together with collaborators from Ideon Science Park and Lundavision, Sweden, by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology on facilitating/accelerating the establishment of the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO). Following this meeting, a proposal which I co-authored and entitled, “SHESTCO Science Park – Abuja, Nigeria: From Planning to Implementation” was submitted for consideration for possible implementation.
As Head of Department of Pharmaceutics, I successfully championed, supervised the design of the academic programme and facilitated the establishment of the Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology from the already existing Department of Pharmaceutics.
A number of our junior academics and past students have, through my strongly-worded referee’s report, nominations, mentorship and guidance, accessed scholarship overseas, including the prestigious Schlumberger Faculty for the Future Fellowship, Erasmus Mundi Fellowship, Commonwealth Split-site Doctoral Scholarships, Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellowships, TWAS Fellowships, DAAD Fellowships, graduate scholarships, etc
I established and re-ignited cooperation, as Director of International Collaboration, between University of Nigeria and notable world class research institutions and universities such as Lund University, Sweden; Stockholm University, Sweden; Uppsala University, Sweden; Michigan State University, USA; Eastern Michigan University, National Open University of Taiwan, Monash University, South Africa; Ideon Science Park, Sweden, etc.
I have published over one hundred research articles in reputable national and international journals and have attained global visibility based on Google Scholar Citations and other publication-tracking metrics.
I have attended and presented scientific papers by way of podium or poster presentations in more than forty local and international conferences, workshops, expositions or meetings.
I have contributed over five chapters in a mainline book on “Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Science park Management”
I have successfully supervised over sixty five (65) undergraduate students’ projects, twenty five masters’ degree dissertation and project reports and about four Ph.D students. In the course of these supervisions, I provided different levels of tangible laboratory material and financial support to facilitate the completion of my supervisees’ works. This is in addition to the many students I have mentored at different levels.
I presented the widely received 140th inaugural lecture of the University of Nigeria entitled: “Breaking the barriers to Effective Peroral Drug Delivery” on 16th August, 2018.
As Chairman of Senate Ceremonials Committee of the University of Nigeria between April, 2016 and August, 2019, I successfully oversaw the planning and excellent execution of three key convocation and Founders’ Day celebration cycles in addition to over forty Inaugural Lectures of the University and took decisions critical to the successes recorded in those sensitive events.
As Chairman of Senate Ceremonials Committee (unarguably the biggest committee in the university), I supervised and managed the entire membership comprising about seventy-five staff of the university, as well as no less than seventeen sub-committees with record-breaking results as was evident by the successes of all events we planned and executed.
I am a member of no less than nine Research Groups in the University namely: Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine Research Group; Sustainable Development Research Group; Health and Society Research Group; Public Health and Sustainable Development Research Group; Social Policy, Welfare and Society Research Group; Education and Sustainable Development Research Group; Sustainable Development Solutions Research Group; Transdisciplinary African Studies Research Group; and Organization, Industry, Environment and Society Research Group. These groups have won several research grants within and outside the university.
I served as Development Officer to the Vice-Chancellor between December, 2009 and December, 2013 during the tenure of Professor Barto Okolo. Development Officers are highly talented and resourceful persons appointed by the Vice-Chancellor to assist him in handling important assignments bordering on the growth and development of the university.
I have severally been invited to meetings of Expanded University of Nigeria Management Team between 2016 and 2019.
I was convener and LOC Chairman of the first International Workshop on Science Parks and Innovation Ecosystem for National Development (SPIE4ND) from 20th to 23rd February, 2018 by the University of Nigeria in collaboration with Ideon Science Park, Sweden and LundaVision AB, Sweden. The main objective of that international workshop was to create the necessary awareness on the relevance of science, technology and innovation (STI) in national development as emphasized in some globally recognized policy frameworks such as the United Nations Agenda 2030 as stipulated in SDG 9, 11 and 17; the African Union’s 2063 Agenda as highlighted in STISA 2024 framework and Nigeria’s ERGP for the 2017 – 2020 period.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
1. Head of Department, Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Nigeria, August 1, 2013 – August 1, 2016.
2. Director of Research, University of Nigeria, February 2014 to March 2016.
3. Chairman, Senate Ceremonials Committee, University of Nigeria, April, 2016 to August, 2019.
PAST POSITION
Development Officer to the Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, December 2009 to December, 2013 during the tenure of Professor Barto Okolo .
CURRENT POSITION
1. Director, International Collaboration and Linkages, University of Nigeria, March, 2016 to Date.
2. Member, Board of Directors, Lion Science Park LTD/GTE.
3. Coordinator, University of Nigeria Innovation Projects comprising the Roar Nigeria Hub, Lion Science Park and the Tractor Assembly Initiative.
Membership of Faculty/University Committees
I have served either as member, co-chairman or chairman of about thirty three (33) different faculty and university committees including the following.
1. Appointed as Development Officer to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in December, 2009. The appointment lasted for a period of four years. Development Officers are highly talented and resourceful persons appointed by the Vice Chancellor to help him carry out important assignments bordering on the growth and development of the university.
2. Editorial Secretary, African Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (AJPRD) from November, 2010 to May, 2014. AJPRD is the scientific journal of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Nigeria which is published bi-annually.
3. Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Representative at the University of Nigeria Senate from September 2010 to August 2012. The University Senate is the highest body that oversees all academic matters in the university.
4. Chairman, Faculty Scholarship Committee, September, 2006 till September, 2010.
5. Member, Pilot Production Committee of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, September, 2010 to August 2012.
6. Member of the following Faculty Committee of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University: Curriculum Committee, Opportunities/Grants Committee, Postgraduate Committee, Fund-raising Committee and Accreditation Planning Committee, January 2010 to April, 2012.
7. Coordinator, Faculty SIWES, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, January 2010 to April, 2012.
8. Member, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNN Publications and library Committee, September 2010 till date.
9. Served as the Secretary, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Curriculum Review Committee between April 2010 and July, 2010.
10. Served as Member, University of Nigeria Committee on International Research Ethics and Curriculum Development Award between May, 2010 and June 2010.
11. Served as Member, University of Nigeria Committee to articulate Innovations introduced/to be introduced by the University administration between April, 2010 and June, 2010.
12. Chairman, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Equipment Maintenance Committee, 2014 to Date.
13. Permanent Member, University of Nigeria Senate. The Senate is the highest academic law making organ of the university.
14. Member, University of Nigeria SERVICOM Sensitization/Mobilization Team to various Units, Departments, Centers etc of the University to raise awareness on the need for improved service delivery to our clients and the public, July, 2015 to Date.
15. Chairman, Committee to Assess the Quality of Bore-hole Water and Lion Water used on Nsukka and Enugu Campuses of the University of Nigeria, December 2015 to April, 2016.
16. Chairman, Senate Research Grants Committee, May 2014 to September, 2014.
17. Chairman, Senate Ceremonials Committee, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, April 28, 2016 to August, 2019.
18. Member, University Calendar Committee, June, 2016 to August, 2017.
19. Member, Committee to Update the University Academic Brief, incorporating new Faculties, Departments, programmes etc. as well as the contents of all academic programmes in the University, July, 2017.
20. I have severally been a member of various investigative panels set up by the University administration to investigate cases of examination malpractice, gross misconduct involving members of staff and cases of staff who were on suspension as a result of misconduct, dereliction of duty, fraud, etc and facing panels.
21. Member, Global Visibility Committee, May 2015 to June, 2019.
22. Member, Senate Research Grants Committee, August 2014 to June, 2019.
23. Member, University Webometrics Committee, April 2016 to June, 2019.
24. Member, School of Postgraduate Studies Committee on Core Values/Strategic Goals of the SPGS.
25. Member of several Local Organizing Committees for several local and international conferences including Chairman, Technical Committee of the 6th African Regional Conference of Vice Chancellors and Deans of Science, Engineering and Technology COVIDSET 2015 AND Member, LOC of International Consultative Workshop jointly organized by University of Nigeria and Stockholm University on, “Environmental Law, Human Rights and Climate Change in a Post 2015 World: Global Call, Local Action” November 2 – 4, 2016.
26. I have severally been invited to meetings of Expanded University of Nigeria Management Team.
27. Member, Management Board of Lion Science Park, University of Nigeria
28. Chairman, External Partnership/Linkages, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2018 to Date.
Special Courses Attended
(i)Workshop on “E-learning for Academics”, Innovation Centre, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, April 18 – April 25, 2010.
(ii)Participant at a two day Leadership Retreat on, “Positive Change” organized by the University of Nigeria Administration for Development Officers, Heads of Department, Deans, Directors, etc, June 5, 2010 at Grand Hotel Hotel, Asaba.
(iii)Young Scientists Event of the Controlled Release Society, Hilton New York, New York, July 2008.
(iv)Educational Workshops: Consumer and Diversified Products Micro and Nanoencapsulation of the Controlled Release Society, Copenhagen, Denmark, July 18-19-2009.
(v)Controlled Release Society Educational Workshop on Oral Multi-particulate Drug Delivery Systems: Challenges and Opportunities, Hilton Vienna Danube, Vienna, Austria, March 24-25, 2009.
(vi)Safety Molecular Pathology Laboratory: Practical Biostatistics Course, Held at the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu; June 2012.
(vii)Safety Molecular Pathology Laboratory: Practical Biostatistics Course, Held at the SMPL Conference Room, Independence Layout, Enugu; August 12 – 16, 2014.
(viii)Delegate at the 2nd Times Higher Education Africa Universities Summit on the theme, “Globalization and Policy Directions for Africa Higher Education”, April 27 – 29, 2016, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra.
(ix)Two-week Training course on “Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Science Park Development” organized by Lund University Commissioned Education, Lund, Sweden, February 20th – March 3rd, 2017.
(x)Three-Day Higher Education Teacher Training Course on “Challenge-Based Learning, organized by KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden in collaboration with Dar es Salam Ministry of Science and Technology, Dar es Salam, Tanzania, September 3rd to 5th, 2016. The purpose of the training course was to enhance the participants’ professional approach to academic teaching in order to meet and proactively work for the development and modernization of higher education.
(xi)Participated in a three-day training course as a speaker/moderator in the Global Ethics Forum, 2016 on the theme, “Higher Education – Ethics in Action: The Value of Values across Sectors”, June 23rd – June 25th, 2016, organized by Globethics.net, Geneva, Switzerland.
(xii)Two-day Training of Trainers at the Mandatory, Continuous, Capacity Training Programme for select Post-graduate teachers/supervisors of the University of Nigeria, organized by the School of Postgraduate Studies and Directorate of Strategic Contacts, Ethics and Publications in collaboration with Globethics.net, Geneva, Switzerland, April 7 to 8, 2017.
(xiii)Participated in and successfully completed the IASP (International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation) Seminar on, “Science Park and Areas of Innovation: Fundamentals I” held in Isfahan, Iran, September 6th to 9th, 2018 at the 35th IASP World Conference on Science Parks and Areas of Innovation.
(xiv)Participated in and successfully completed the IASP (International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation) Seminar on, “Science Park and Areas of Innovation: Fundamentals II” held in Nantes, France, September 24th to 28th, 2019 at the 36th IASP World Conference on Science Parks and Areas of Innovation.
(xv)Participated in a two-week training/Workshop on, “Advancement, Capital Campaigns and Fundraising for Higher Institutions” University Advancement Center, Michigan State University, USA, March 17 to March 31, 2019.
(xvi)Participated in a two week training course/workshop on “Management of Higher Education Institutes” at the Galilee Institute, Israel, June 25 to July 12, 2019.
Selected Invited Lectures
(i)Member, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria’s (PCN) ad hoc Committee for review of Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme in Abuja, April 17 – April 20, 2016.
(ii)Appointed Resource Person in the training of SERVICOM Guild Members at the University of Nigeria to deliver a lecture on “Overview of the University of Nigeria SERVICOM Charter”, July 11, 2017.
(iii)Appointed Resource Person in the training organized for Fresh Employees by SERVICOM Unit, University of Nigeria to deliver a lecture on “Conduct of Examinations and Grading of Scripts”, July 11, 2017.
(iv)Invited Resource Person at the First Marketing Workshop of Evonik Pharma Ltd in Nigeria at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, October 14, 2016. Evonik is an international company engaged in the manufacture of pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food raw materials and finished products with headquarters in Damstadt, Germany. I delivered a lecture entitled, “Solid dispersions of Eudragit polymers in drug delivery”.
(v)Invited Resource Person at the 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 Orientation Programmes for JUPEB candidates of the University of Nigeria to deliver a lecture entitled, “ Ethical Issues and Time Management” (JUPEB is an acronym for Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board).
(vi)Invited Resource Person at the 2015 Workshop organized for Nnamdi Azikiwe Library staff, University of Nigeria on “Research Grant Writing/Grantsmanship”
(vii)Invited Resource Person at the 2018 Workshop on PGC 601 & 701 organized by the School of Postgraduate Studies where I delivered a lecture on ”Research Grant Writing”
(viii)Invited Resource Person at the 2018 Workshop organized for newly employed junior academic staff of the University of Nigeria from November 11 to 13, 2018 where I delivered a lecture on the topic, “Research Grant Writing”
(ix)External Assessor for Professorial Positions for the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, August, 2018.
Honours/Awards Won
1. Winner of the George/John Nnamdi Memorial Price for the Best Graduating Student in Academic, Boys’ High School, Nando (1988 academic session).
2. Recipient of a certificate of Commendation from the National Youth Service Corp, Lagos State for outstanding performance in the service year that ended December 1998.
3. Recipient of the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Foundation postdoctoral Research Fellowship tenable in Germany for a period of twenty six months between March, 2007 and April 30, 2009.
4. Recipient of the 2008 Controlled Release Society (CRS) Graduate Student/Post-Doc Outstanding Consumer and Diversified Products Best Paper Award in New York (Hilton Hotels, Manhattan, New York, USA, July 15) for my contribution entitled: Development of Gelatin-Based Nanoparticulate Formulation for the Delivery of Human Insulin. The paper was adjudged to be outstanding by an international team of scientific expert reviewers.
5. Recipient of a Certificate of Excellence from the Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka in appreciation of my resourcefulness in the Department of Pharmaceutics in the areas of creativity and innovation during the period 2007-2010.
6. Recipient of Certificate of Recognition for “My Outstanding Performance as HEAD, Department of Pharmaceutics (2013 – 2016)” by the Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, July 27, 2016.
7. Positive Impact Award for “my outstanding contribution to the spread of the gospel” by Ideal Life City Outreach, Nsukka on July 22, 2018.
8. Role Model Award by Agbudu Youth Forum on January 1, 2016 for “My Extraordinary Contribution to the Development of Agbudu community”.
9. Award of Honour for “My Diplomatic Skills, Dedication and Contributions to the Success of their Voyage in the Students’ Union Government” by the Students’ Union Government, 2016/17 Session led by Comr. Emmanuel Chukwu on March 23, 2017
10. Excellence Service Award by the Rotary Club of Nsukka, on December 5, 2018.
11. Impact Leader of the Year Award by South East Freelancers and Social Media Influencers for Positive Impact in the University of Nigeria and in South East, December 22, 2018.
12. Award of Excellence as “Most Supportive Director in the University of Nigeria”, Presented at the Maiden SUG, UNN Freshers Orientation Ceremony held at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus on 5th December, 2018 by the SUG Executives, 2017/2018 Session during the SUG Week by the Student’s Union Government.
13. League of African Development Students (LEADS Africa) Merit Award of Excellence as Africa’s Patriotic My Postsity of the Year, Nsukka, April, 2019.
14. Award of Excellence as pillar of Sports for my Immense Contribution to Sports and Students Development in Nigeria, by the Directorate of Sports, Student Union Government, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, March 30, 2019.
15. Award of Excellence for my “Invaluable Service to the University of Nigeria” by the First Year Health Sciences Students’ Association, University of Nigeria on August 24, 2019.
16. Royal Service Award presented to me “in Appreciation of my Committed Service to Ndigbo in FCT and Igboland as a whole” by the Igbo Traditional Rulers Council in Conjunction with OHANEZE Ndigbo, Abuja, FCT on September 29, 2019.
Editorial Experience
I have served and/or currently serving as a reviewer for more than thirteen (13) local and international journals as follows: Reviewer for International Journal of Pharmaceutics, Elsevier Publishers; Reviewer for American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, AAPS PharmSciTech Journal, Springer Publishers; Reviewer, African Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Nigeria; Reviewer, International Journal of Nanomedicine, Dovepress Publishers; Editorial Secretary, African Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development; Circulation Editor, Journal of Pharmaceutical & Allied Sciences, Nigeria; Reviewer, Scientific Research and Essays; Reviewer, European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, Elsevier Publishers; Reviewer, Plant Products Research Journal; Reviewer, Journal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences; Reviewer, European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Elsevier Publishers; Reviewer, Drug Delivery, Informa Health Publishers and Reviewer, Heliyon
My Plans for our Faculty/Manifesto
I will deploy my energies and connections to raise money to support many of the activities and events that I intend to carry out.
Regular (quarterly) Faculty Board, preferably on the 3rd Wednesday of the last month of the quarter, to keep staff abreast of all developments in the faculty as opposed to what has become almost the norm where such meetings are held only to approve results.
Measures to strengthen relations between the faculty and her alumni in Nigeria and in the diaspora with a view to tapping the full benefits accruable from such relations for all-round development of the faculty will be explored. I will pursue a well-structured engagement with alumni. Events such as Home-coming, Meet the Faculty, Alumni magazine, Lectures, etc will be implemented.
I will establish the “The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Wall of Fame” as a way to appreciate donors and friends of the faculty and to encourage and attract more donations to the faculty. Depending on the amount or item donated, the donors will be classified into Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond and Platinum.
The Faculty Pilot Plant Unit which proved very useful to starters in the drug manufacturing industry will be resuscitated and put to good use as a source of income not only to the faculty but also to the University of Nigeria at large. In this regard, I have already initiated talks with a friend and an alumnus of our faculty who has made a firm promise to donate a 37-station tableting machine to the faculty anytime we are ready for it. I have also had discussions with some senior members of our faculty whose experience and expertise would be useful in the pilot plant unit. Formulation of various dosage forms for commercial purposes which was started a few years ago under Professor Ibezim as Dean will be resuscitated. I will also explore the possibility of partnering with the private sector/investors to set up a drug manufacturing plant in the university for which our faculty will have a major stake. The central Administration of the university looks up to our faculty to be a formidable source of revenue for the university.
Power supply remains a major challenge in the new Faculty of Pharmacy Complex since it is not connected to the generator supplying power to the central administration and the old faculty buildings. I will initiate steps to reach out to philanthropists/public-spirited individuals with a view to providing an alternative source of power to the complex. This will, no doubt, enhance the productivity/output of our staff.
I will continue with plans, already set in motion by the out-going dean, for an elaborate Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the faculty later in the year or within the first quarter of next year.
Timely appraisals of all staff of the faculty – academic and non-academic – will be given priority attention.
I will run an open and transparent administration and make myself and the dean’s office accessible to all staff at all times.
Institutional mentoring of early career staff will be promoted and encouraged. Where possible, I will make contacts with the alumni to explore the possibility of establishing of a small fund to provide at least two travel grants for conference attendance in Europe for early career staff. Applications wil be screened objectively by an ad-hoc committee consisting of senior academics.
I will reward academic and research excellence by instituting a prize (plaque and cash) for the staff with the highest number of publications per year in impact-factor rated journals for the two years I will be in office as dean.
I will promote and foster vigorous grantsmanship among staff and graduate students of our faculty to enhance the grant-winning profile of our faculty. To this end, targeted workshops will be organized periodically with a view to strengthening the skills of staff in grant-writing.
I will explore the possibility of working with the faculty alumni and other public-spirited individuals to establish the “Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Endowment Fund”. Proceeds from this fund will be utilized for procurement of essential pieces of research equipment when the need arises.
I will re-energize the traditional faculty committees to make them more result-oriented. In addition, I will create a Works’ Committee for the first time in our history as a faculty to work with the Faculty Technical Officer in coordinating work-related tasks and for routine maintenance and repairs of our facilities.
I will host the 2nd edition of the International Conference on “Pharmaceutical Sciences and Industry”. This will provide an opportunity to interact with the local industry with possibility of strengthening our partnership with the industry. This 2nd edition will feature events such as “Faculty Research Day/Fair” in which the local industry will participate. The overall aim is to promote translational research and engagement with the industry.
I will establish UNN Pharmacy Alumni Desk/Office which will be charged with the responsibility of building the UNN Pharmacy Alumni Database. This will be of immense benefit to our faculty in tracking the progress of our alumni and in communicating with them and soliciting for donations/gifts when the need arises.
Mechanisms will be put in place to ensure a seamless transition to the Pharm. D programme which has just taken off and will run concurrently with the old B.Pharm. programme until the last batch of B. Pharm. Students have graduated. Preparing the minds of our staff ahead of time (academic, technical and administrative) will be critical to the success of this transition.
Regular faculty seminar in which experienced academics/persons from within and outside the university will be invited as resource persons will be re-introduced and/or revived.
Streamlining of our faculty postgraduate programme, without compromising quality, with a view to eliminating all bottlenecks to students’ early completion of their programmes will be pursued.
I will explore measures to inject new life into the faculty Model Pharmacy for optimal performance and greater effectiveness.
I will also focus on the fundamentals such as making our classrooms more learner-friendly (by installing green energy sources to guaranty 24 h power availability to ensure that staff can deliver their lecture using power-point at all times) and putting in place public address systems to make the learning experience more memorable for our students.
I will put mechanisms in place for improved coordination with PANS Officials to ensure a more harmonious relationship with our students.
It would suffice at this juncture to state that my priority will be to create an enabling environment for scholarship, teaching and research to thrive. I make a bold commitment to excellence and effective leadership of the sort that will transform the Faculty towards enhanced competiveness with its peers domestically and internationally. I can assure you that I have the capacity and experience to deliver efficiently; and with your support we shall together work for a Faculty we can all be proud of. I promise to work for all in a fair and transparent manner.
A vote for me – Professor Kenneth Chibuzor OFOKANSI – is a vote for progress and a vote in the best interests of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. It is with a great sense of humility and deep appreciation of the tasks ahead that I make this appeal for your VOTE AND SUPPORT.
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Kenneth Ofokansi
