Akwa Ibom varsity student bags American society’s award
A final year student in the Department of Science Education, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, in Mkpat-Enin Local Government Area of the state, Miss Erifon Ukpe, has bagged an award of commendation at the 27th International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry International Conference on Chemistry Education.
The conference was organised by the American Chemical Society in July 2024 in Thailand with the theme “Power of Chemistry Education for Advancing Sustainable Development Goals”.
A statement by the Faculty Advisor, ACS, Akwa Ibom State University Students’ International Chapter, Dr. Felicia Umanah, on Saturday, said the award was officially presented to the university’s Vice-Chancellor , Prof. Nse Essien, during a courtesy visit on the VC at the institution’s main campus, Ikot Akpaden on Tuesday.
“Presenting the award, alongside the Head, Department of Chemistry, Dr. Uwem Ubong, the faculty Advisor, lauded the awardee for making AKSU proud, stating that her poster presentation at the ACS conference was the best among the 100 competitors.
“He appreciated her for being a good ambassador of the university, adding that the award had projected AKSU internationally by ACS in the 2022/2023 academic session and given an ‘Award of ‘Commendation.’
“The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Nse Essien, while receiving the award noted that Chemistry is life, adding that everything on planet Earth is connected to it.
“He therefore urged members of ACS, AKSU Chapter to adopt teaching approaches that will simplify Chemistry by paying particular attention to the entrepreneurial, manufacturing and more financially relatable aspects of Chemistry that will captivate the interest of the younger generation of Scientists.”
Essien congratulated the awardee and appreciated the Head, Department of Chemistry, Dr. Uwem Ubong; Faculty Advisor, ACS, AKSU Chapter, Dr. Felicia Umanah and all the members of the American Chemical Society AKSU chapter for projecting the Institution in a positive light through collaborative efforts, adding that as a Scientist, some experiments had defined his interest in Chemistry.
He appreciated ACS for the awards and assured of continuous partnership with the body while enjoining the awardee to encourage other students to be a part of such competitive endeavours.
Responding, the awardee, Ukpe, who doubles as Secretary, ACS, AKSU Chapter expressed thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the management team for the opportunity to present the poster in Thailand, stating that her study aimed to examine the effect of Green Chemistry and Traditional Laboratory Approaches on Students’ Academic achievement in the Concept of Le Chatelier’s Principle adopting Quasi-experimental research design.
“Miss Ukpe said that the event which brought together professionals, researchers and students from various institutions, provided a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and innovation on the theme of the Conference.
“She appreciated the American Chemical Society for the support and sponsorship through the professional meeting grant which enabled her to attend the conference,” the statement added.
