History

Prof. Edu Inam was funded by Schlumberger Foundation through the Faculty for the Future Programme for post-doctoral training at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea. On returning to her home institution after eight years of studies abroad that included her PhD studies in Loughborough University, United Kingdom, was faced with the challenge of lack of a research facility to replicate researches done in her host institutions abroad. Prof. Inam instead of dwelling on that frustration of lack of equipment and research environment decided to initiate a research laboratory project.

The idea was discussed in a meeting in Boston, Massachusetts with two Nigerians, in August 2010. The two were, Dr. Francis Folusho then a Post-Doctoral scholar at New England Biolab, Boston, and Mr. Julius Akinyemi, an Entrepreneur in- residence, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, USA, the meeting was facilitated by Mrs. Valerie Edozie of Schlumberger Nigeria Limited. And back home it was further discussed with Dr. Ime Obot and now Professor Joseph Essien, who all supported the idea and assisted in the development of a proposal.

On May 15, 2012 a proposal for the establishment of a public-private sector driven research centre to be called “International Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Research” was submitted to the Academic Planning office of the University of Uyo. The proposal after several scrutiny by the different units of the university received positive approval by the 82 nd Senate of the University of Uyo on November 28, 2012.

Based on the senate approval, advisory and management committees were constituted by the then Vice Chancellor, Professor Comfort M. Ekpo. The major task for the management committee headed by Prof. Edu Inam was to find sponsors to provide seed funding to facilitate the commencement of the centre. Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea (an affiliated institution with the United Nations University) provided funding to start academic activities through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 6, 2013. Similarly, Mr. Udom U. Inoyo then the Executive Director Exxon Mobil provided personal funding to start the construction of the Phase 1 research building comprising of three laboratories. This endorsement moved the project from paper to physical structure. He signed a Memorandum of Understanding to officially commit to the project on November 5, 2015. The construction project has received financial support from others including Engr. Etido Inyang, Chairman Ibom Power Company, Dr. Okon Amasi, Dr. Uduak O. Luke and faculty members of the Faculty of Science, University of Uyo.

Event timeline