Brief History of the Department

The Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State of Nigeria, was established in the year 2011 with several Faculties including the Faculty of Engineering. The Mechatronics Engineering programme was among the six that was approved to be run in the Faculty of Engineering. It was however, not until the year 2016 that a first set of 66 students were admitted to the programme to commence academic activities.

The Programme was administered in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, same for two of such other Departments in the Faculty of Engineering housing two programmes each, as in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering housing Chemical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering Programmes; the Department of Civil and Electrical/Electronic Engineering housing the Civil Engineering and Electrical and Electronic Engineering Programmes. Early in the year 2021 all these Departments became unbundled, and the Mechatronics Engineering Programme came to stand as a Department with student strength of 62; 65 63 and 66 in the 100, 200, 300 and 400 levels of study respectively.

Presently the Department is seen to be growing in its academic strength having earned Full Accreditation status (in the 2020/2021 academic session) from the National Universities Council (NUC). The academic strength and determination for development and growth is summed up in the Vision, Mission and Philosophy statements of the Department

Vision

To be renowned as one of the high-quality Mechatronics Engineering Programmes in Nigeria with universal competitiveness.

Mission

To be in line with the overall mission of the Federal University, Otuoke; be committed to providing the best possible undergraduate learning in the full range of Mechatronics Engineering education and practice. And also, to seek to sustain recognition through scholarly works, research and services to the University and the Nigerian society.

Philosophy

Mechatronics Engineering is an engineering discipline that applies the art and science of integrating precision mechanical engineering, electronics, computer and robotics engineering and intelligent decision and control algorithm for the production of smart machine systems. Flowing from these therefore, courses are offered to provide students comprehensive knowledge in the application of the associated smart engineering principles.  Consequently, five-year duration is used in the training that leads to the award of a first degree in Mechatronics Engineering. Within the first two years of the training period the students undergo studies in the related basic sciences (Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry), and the foundation engineering concepts that constitute the critical mass of courses in the Mechatronics Engineering science. Thus, in the 3rd, 4th and 5th years, the students are treated to the central activity of the Programme wherein the core courses of Mechatronics Engineering are prominently featured. After an industrial training posting (SIWES) of about, twelve months duration, the students come to the classroom again to round-off their five-year academic work; effectively concluding with a final year project that involves design, fabrication, and the development of critical theoretical framework in Mechatronics Engineering science and principles to develop professionalism and adaptability towards life as a Mechatronics Engineer upon graduation.

LIST OF STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT

S/No.NAME OF ACADEMIC STAFFAPPOINTMENTAREA OF SPECIALIZATION
1Engr. Dr. Chinedu J. UjamTenureIndustrial Engineering
2Engr. Abhon AdusTenureEnergy
3Engr. Samuel V. KikileTenureComputer Engineering
4Izabo AbigoTenureProduction
5Erukainure F. EfeTenureGrad. Assistant
6Engr. Prof. Dau S. ZibokereContractAgric. Processing and Machinery
7Engr. Dr. Barinyima NkoiAdjunctThermo-fluids
8Dr. Sunny OrikeAdjunctComputer Engineering