The Postgraduate Scholarship partnership between Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State and the French government through Campus France which was signed in 2016 has continued to yield more dividends.

Through the scheme, which is the first of its kind in the Nigerian University system, 42 young academics of the University have travelled to France for Masters’ and Doctoral (PhD) degrees in acclaimed universities.


L-R: Bursar, Mr. Kingsley Oyekezie, Registrar, Odisa C. Okeke (Mrs.), beneficiary of the scholarship, Dr. Chinedu Egwu, VC, Prof. Sunday Elom, Director, French Centre, Prof. Nnenna Nwosu-Nworuh, Librarian, Dr. Juliana Akidi and DVC, Academic, Prof. Dennis Akoh when the VC received Dr. Egwu in his conference room recently


Some of the scholars that have completed their studies are back to the University, where they are contributing to its academic development in their various disciplines. Their coming back has also increased the critical mass of academics that are bi-lingual in the institution, which ultimately is helping to enhance the global acceptability and recognition of the university.

Recently, another beneficiary of the scheme who has completed his PhD programme and returned to the University was presented to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Elom by the Director, AE-FUNAI/French Centre, Prof. Nnenna Nwosu-Nworuh.


L-R: Scholarship beneficiary, Dr. Chinedu Egwu, VC, Prof. Sunday Elom and Director, French Centre, Prof. Nnenna Nwosu Nworuh when the VC received Dr. Egwu in his conference room
Dr. Chinedu Ogbonnaya Egwu bagged a doctorate degree in Biochemistry at the Universite︣ Paul Sabatier (Federal University of Toulouse 11, Toulouse, France. He left the country to France in April, 2018 and defended his PhD thesis tilled “The Implication of Redox Mechanisms in the Mode of Action of Anti malarials and the Resistance to Artemisimin” on 23rd March, 2021. He is the 5th person to have completed his PhD degree among the beneficiaries of the scheme.

Speaking at the event to herald his return, Dr. Egwu expressed his gratitude to the University Management for the opportunity offered him to study abroad with a scholarship, adding that he came back to contribute in uplifting the University.


Dr. Chinedu Egwu speaking at the event
He said: “Honestly, I feel so delighted for the opportunity that was given to me. I promise that you will not be disappointed”, adding “I will put in my best to uplift this citadel of learning.”

While receiving the returnee at his conference room, the Vice-Chancellor,Prof. Elom, commended him for coming back to the University after the completion of his programme, adding that the idea behind the scheme was to mass-produce lecturers that would make a difference and take the University to higher heights.

He frowned at a situation where some of the beneficiaries absconded after the completion of their studies instead of abiding by the rules of the bond they signed with the University before their departure, noting that the University will use all available legal means to ensure that all the beneficiaries come back to the University after their studies.

The Vice-Chancellor, therefore urged Dr. Egwu to utilize the knowledge he garnered during his academic sojourn abroad to contribute to the building of the University.